Don’t you just love a feel good story? I know I do, and so does Ben – and this one is a doozy 😃
So imagine if you will, a little robot made specifically to make poorly children smile. Meet Haru – at only 12 inches tall, it lives and works in the paediatric oncology ward of the Virgen del Rocio University Hospital in Seville. It’s mission? To comfort and support those there for treatment. During those long hours, Haru is there to help their emotional wellbeing.
(Image courtesy of Honda Research Institute)
So how did Haru come to be? Well, it’s all thanks to Honda and their Research Institute in Japan. In 2021, they used AI to create what they call a ‘desktop companion’ for children undergoing treatment for serious illness. As Haru engages with the children on an emotional level, the aim is to help them cope with their treatment, reducing the stress they face, especially during long periods where they are away from home, family and friends.
Haru combines conversation with biometric cues to communicate with the children. This can be escalated to include health monitoring to ensure the child is receiving a higher level of care.
So how did the concept of Haru come about? Over at Honda, their philosophy is to enhance all aspects of the human experience with the use of technology.
During an interview with head of the research institute, Satoshi Shigemi explained “At Honda, our commitment to people is at the heart of everything we do. Haru represents our vision for a future where robots aren’t just tools but companions that improve emotional and psychological well-being. Seeing the smiles Haru brings to children’s faces is a testament to the power of technology to make a difference.”
When asked about the successful integration of Haru at the children’s ward, the hospital stated: “Haru brings a unique kind of joy to our young patients. Unlike traditional technologies that focus solely on physical health, Haru offers psychological benefits that improve the well-being of both the children and the hospital community. Its ability to connect patients with their peers and even their schools is something truly ground breaking.”
Now out of the trial phase, Haru singular becomes Haru multiple – a set of 10 Haru’s will be spread out across the entire hospital over the next three years. If it goes as well as they think it will, global rollouts are not out of the realm of possibility.
So if you had to spend large amounts of time at hospital, would you like an AI robot companion to help you get through it? Thanks to Honda, this may be a possibility in every hospital in the near future.
Thank you all, and enjoy!
Annabelle 😊