Robots to Engage with Seniors in Singapore Care Centres as Part of Innovative Research Study

From the coming month, charming doll-like robots will be interacting with seniors at various care centres across Singapore. These robots, named Lovot and Kebbi, are designed to follow the elderly around, inviting pats and hugs while responding with endearing baby-like sounds. With their expressive eyes and cheerful demeanour, these robots are part of a pioneering study aimed at exploring whether robotic companions can encourage seniors, particularly those who are more reserved, to engage more openly in group settings.

Credit: SHINTARO TAY

This research initiative is a collaboration between the eldercare agency PCF Sparkle Care and the Singapore University of Social Sciences. Approximately seventy seniors will participate across four centres, with the study expected to last around six months. The robots are referred to as junior care programme coordinators, intended to facilitate interactions during activities such as group discussions, games, and multi-generational engagements involving children and young people.

This formal study follows an informal trial conducted at PCF Sparkle Care in Tampines the previous year. Andy Seet, the chief operating officer of PCF Sparkle Care, noted that seniors were initially hesitant about the robots. However, after just a week, it became apparent that those who had previously been silent began to engage, even singing to the robots. Remarkably, patients with dementia, who are often more reserved, started to sing songs in dialects they remembered from their youth.

During the launch of the study at the PCF Sparkle Care @ Kreta Ayer centre, Mr Seet shared these observations, highlighting the positive impact the robots had on the seniors' willingness to communicate. The robots are not intended to replace human caregivers but rather to provide emotional support and companionship. Mr Seet emphasised that human care, judgement, and relationships are irreplaceable in eldercare, forming the foundation of Sparkle Care's approach.

The robots were procured from Japanese robotics firm Groove X and Taiwan-based Nuwa Robotics, with each Lovot model costing around £8,000 and each Kebbi model approximately £1,600. Lovot, showcased at the launch, stands just under knee-high and is capable of moving independently on wheels while flapping its arms. It can recognise faces and adjust its responses based on the seniors' facial expressions and tone of voice. Although it cannot speak, it communicates through baby-like sounds in response to seniors' questions and conversations.

Madam Choo Poh Choo, an 80-year-old dementia patient who visits the centre three times a week, expressed her enjoyment in conversing with Lovot. She remarked that many of her children are now grown and married, leaving her with fewer people to talk to at home. She appreciates the robot's presence, stating that it alleviates her loneliness and allows her to express herself without fear of judgement. She noted that while robots provide a patient listening ear, she still prefers interacting with her fellow seniors at the centre.

The study will see the deployment of pairs of Lovot and Kebbi robots at additional care centres in Bukit Panjang, Braddell Heights, and Eunos. Data collected through built-in cameras in the robots, along with interviews and surveys, will help assess the effectiveness of these robotic companions and determine whether they will be permanently integrated into eldercare settings.

The launch of this study coincided with the opening of a new wing at the Kreta Ayer centre, which has nearly doubled its capacity to accommodate eighty-five seniors. The new facilities include a gaming room and a shop where passers-by can purchase snacks prepared by the seniors. Minister for Digital Development and Information, Josephine Teo, officiated the opening, highlighting the importance of creating an environment that acknowledges the contributions of the elderly in Singapore.

This innovative approach to eldercare reflects a growing recognition of the need for emotional support and companionship among seniors, particularly as they navigate the challenges of loneliness and social isolation. The integration of technology in this context aims to enhance the quality of life for the elderly, ensuring they remain engaged and connected within their communities.

---

• Robots Lovot and Kebbi will interact with seniors to encourage social engagement.

• The study involves around 70 seniors across four care centres over six months.

• Initial trials showed positive effects on seniors' willingness to communicate, especially those with dementia.

• The robots are designed to provide emotional support, not to replace human caregivers.