Robodies: Next-gen robots advancing in-home elderly care with telepresence

[A German company is advancing the potential uses of telepresence robots for remote at-home care of elderly (and other) people by combining a variety of evolving presence-evoking technologies. Some of the details about the latest version of the company’s Robodies are provided in this story from Interesting Engineering, where the original version includes two videos (also available on YouTube here and here). More details are available on the Devanthro website. I imagine many of us would like to know more about what the company’s “nearly ten years of research and intensive testing in real-world environments” reveals about how people perceive and react to the robots and their remote care-givers; see the Research page of the website for more on that.  –Matthew]

Robodies: Next-gen robots advancing in-home elderly care with telepresence

Robodies are advanced robotic avatars using AI, AR, and 5G to project operators’ senses, actions, and presence anywhere globally.

By Jijo Malayil
December 9, 2024

German robotics startup Devanthro has unveiled its latest generation of telepresence robots, specifically designed for caring at home.

Robody’s newest version boasts a fully redesigned torso and arms, paired with enhanced hardware upgrades.

The robot aids with daily tasks such as meal preparation, pill administration, finding and retrieving items, and engaging in meaningful conversations.

The robotics and AI company is focused on developing teleoperated Robodies to meet the rising demand for 24/7 live-in elderly care.

In 2023, Oxford and Devanthro researchers created a robot shoulder that mimics stretching to generate lifelike human tendon tissue, advancing medical robots beyond surgery and disinfection tasks.

Next-gen robotic avatars

The lack of home care leads to significant costs. A recent report estimates that, in Germany alone, 1.3 million hospital visits could be avoided annually with better home care services. Many admissions are due to simple issues like forgetting to drink enough water, leading to dehydration.

Devanthro aims to help people age with dignity at home by empowering caregivers—both professionals and relatives—to provide 24/7 remote care using humanoid robotic avatars.

For that, Robodies are pitched as advanced human robotic avatars that integrate robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and 5G technology, enabling operators to project their senses, actions, and presence anywhere in the world.

These robots are easy to use and can be controlled with ease using a virtual reality interface. With the ability to see through the eyes of the robot, hear its environment, and even talk in their own voice, operators are fully immersed.

Regardless of distance, synchronized movements enable the Robody to mimic hand gestures and hugs, enhancing the personalization and impact of remote encounters.

These robots’ development is the result of nearly ten years of research and intensive testing in real-world environments. By allowing prototypes to be used by the general population for nine years, the Robodies team has improved the system to prioritize usability and social acceptance.

According to the firm, the iterative process has grounded the project in real-world applications while spurring technological innovation. The end result is a novel method that uses robotic technology to rethink human connection and caregiving.

As a major advancement in robotics and telepresence technology, Devantro claims that robots are at the forefront of changing how humans communicate and give care over great distances.

Robodies as customizable home assistant

The latest Robody introduces significant upgrades, making it more precise, dexterous, and capable.

Its redesigned torso and arms, completed in just six months, now enable operators to perform fine, two-handed tasks seamlessly in real-world home settings. From fetching cheese from the fridge, and retrieving clothes from the closet, to dusting and playing board games like Rummy or Nine Men’s Morris, Robody is built for everyday life.

The firm claims that customization has also taken center stage, allowing users to tailor Robody’s appearance to match their style—a feature that has resonated with every household during testing. Beneath its personalized look lies a new soft, flexible skin, ensuring safe movement and interaction in any home environment.

With the use of modern virtual reality technology, which gives operators twice the visual resolution, haptic feedback for physical inputs, and improved user-friendly features, control has also risen.

Devanthro claims that the improvements combine state-of-the-art technology with useful features for contemporary living, making operating Robody more seamless and intuitive.


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