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Pearl the Robot Makes Life Easier for Elderly

By REUTERS

NYtimes, July 31, 2002

Elderly people in a U.S. retirement home have been getting some extra help with their daily activities from an unlikely source -- a robot called Pearl.

The mechanical maid uses ultrasound and laser rangefinders to whiz around the home in Oakmont, Pennsylvania reminding residents of appointments and chatting with her elderly charges about the weather and the latest TV listings.

``Pearl's chief task is to remind people of their appointments, their mealtimes and social events, and to escort them to their destinations,'' New Scientist magazine said on Wednesday.

Pearl speaks and displays messages on a touch-sensitive screen in very big type which makes it easier for patients with failing eyesight to read, and gently reminds them when it is time to eat if their memory fails.

Sebastian Thrun and scientists at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania and Martha Pollack of the University of Michigan said their creation has been a success with patients, who enjoy interacting with it.

But early trials showed it whizzed about too quickly for elderly people so future models will be programmed to vary their speed.

Pearl's software uses artificial intelligence and the magazine said that eventually she might also keep tabs on medication schedules.

``We have to first demonstrate to the FDA's (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) satisfaction that Pearl will never give the wrong advice,'' said Pollack.