A 94-year-old grandmother in Rome is
one of six elderly people living with a robotic 'caretaker' as
part of an European Commission (EC) project, the EC said Monday
in a statement.
The three million euro EC-financed project, called
GiraffPlus, is part of an effort to test how robots and other
devices could help older people live safer, more independent
lives.
"The EU is investing in new technology that can support the
silver generation - adding not just years to our life, but also
life to our years," said Neelie Kroes, vice-president of the
European Commission and head of the Digital Agenda.
The system includes sensors and a robot, which 94-year-old
Lea Mina Ralli calls 'Mister Robin'.
The sensors are designed to detect activities like cooking,
sleeping or watching television, as well as to allow the
person's caretakers to check remotely on well-being and for
falls.
The robot monitors such health indicators as blood pressure
or sugar levels, and allows video calls to relatives, friends
and doctors.
Ralli, aka 'Nonna Lea' (Grandma Lea), is a technology buff
and has even dedicated a poem to the robot on a blog she keeps.
"With this valuable assistant that I call 'Mr Robin', I'm
more relaxed about the years ahead, and so are my children and
grandchildren," explained Ralli.
GiraffPlus is expected to be in 14 European homes by the
end of 2014, put into commercial production next year.
Costs will be based on an upfront fee and monthly
subscriptions to make it competitive with full-time care.
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