Robot assists dementia patient, offering independence and respite

Key facts

• A robot named Robbie is assisting Brian Marquis, who has dementia and a traumatic brain injury.
• The robot guides Marquis through exercises and reminds him to eat and drink.
• The robot is a development from a University of New Hampshire laboratory.
• The project is funded by the National Institute on Aging.
• The development addresses a shortage of home care aides.

The quest for lifelike and helpful home robots has been ongoing for decades, inspired by fictional characters. While fully realized humanoid robots remain a distant goal, advancements are emerging to address real-world needs, particularly in elder care. The United States faces a significant shortage of home care aides, making the development of assistive robots increasingly relevant as the baby boomer generation ages.