Introducing Kiwi and Mango, social robots from Japan. They may look like a cute cross between Teletubbies and Wall-E, but at their core they are advanced technology. AI allows it to emulate the warmth of a real pet, learning, talking, recognizing faces and voices, moving around, and giving hugs.
Kiwi and Mango are sent to UBC for new research investigating interactions between social robots and older adults. Dr. Lillian Han (she), principal investigator, Canada Research Chair in Senior Care, and assistant professor at UBC School of Nursing, explains how the study was conceived and what it means for senior care. I’m explaining.
How did you become interested in researching social robots?
Our research at the Innovation in Dementia & Aging (IDEA) Lab focuses on investigating how technology and the environment impact dementia care. Lovot robots (as the manufacturer calls them) are gaining popularity as companions in Japan, where isolation and loneliness are big problems for the elderly. I wanted to study how these robots interact with elderly people and people with cognitive disabilities in a Canadian context.
My previous research on Paro, a robot seal, showed that companion robots could be beneficial for people with dementia. Believing that Lovots is even more promising due to its advanced AI capabilities, he worked with a Japanese manufacturer to bring Lovots to Canada. Canada is currently participating in an ongoing international study, including in Hong Kong and Singapore, investigating these human-robot interactions.
How have people reacted to kiwi and mango so far?
Informal preliminary visits to nursing homes, neighborhood homes, and other similar locations in the Vancouver area were very positive. The people were warm and welcoming. At one care home, a resident who was initially reserved surprised us by reaching out and engaging with Kiwi. His happiness was just shining through.
Social robots are interesting because they are designed not only to be purely functional, but also to respond to people. By their very nature, they raise questions about what it means for humans, especially older adults, to look to machines as partners in their daily lives. Unlike Japan, where robot companions are more common, Canada has no history of pet robots. But global trends show that levels of loneliness are rising here too.
What happens next?
Starting this month, we will work with our local partner Amica Residences to introduce kiwi and mango to residents, and observe and record interactions between residents, care staff, and robots. We also conduct interviews with care home staff and residents’ families.
Our goal is to publish and share our results to inform the future direction of aged care. As companion robots begin to become part of daily life in many regions, we need to consider what it means to entrust emotional and social support to machines. Will this redefine our humanity? Are robots and automation the answer to the aged care crisis? With this research, we hope to contribute to some answers.