AI robot ‘robin’ brings emotional support to children’s hospitals in USA
The robot provides emotional support to children in hospitals by engaging with patients, remembering details, and helping ease stress, while assisting overworked medical staff in the USA.
An AI-powered robot named Robin transforms patient care in the USA pediatric hospitals by offering emotional support and companionship to young patients.
Developed by Expper Technologies, Robin resembles a child in appearance and voice, engaging patients with games, music, and conversation. Its childlike demeanour helps ease anxiety, especially during stressful medical procedures.
Initially launched in Armenia, Robin now operates in 30 healthcare facilities across the USA, including Massachusetts, California, Indiana, and New York. Designed to combat healthcare staff shortages, the robot is about 30% autonomous, with remote human operators guiding its interactions under clinical supervision.
Robin’s emotional intelligence allows it to mirror patient expressions and respond with empathy, laughing, playing, or offering comfort when needed. Beyond paediatrics, it also assists elderly patients with dementia in nursing homes by leading breathing exercises and memory games.
With the USA facing a projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians in the next decade, Robin’s creators aim to expand its capabilities to include monitoring vitals and assisting with basic physical care.
Despite concerns about AI replacing human roles, Expper CEO Karen Khachikyan emphasises Robin is intended to complement healthcare teams, not replace them, offering joy, relief, and a sense of companionship where it’s most needed.
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