Honda Unveils Haru: AI Robot Offering Emotional Support for Children in Hospitals
Honda has made a cool new friend for kids in hospitals called Haru, a 12-inch robot driven by AI. This state-of-the-art robot was unveiled at the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital in Seville, Spain. Its purpose is to help kids who are in the hospital for long periods of time and find it stressful.
Haru isn't like other robots. It was made with cutting-edge technology that lets it connect emotionally with kids. Haru can read a child's facial movements and voice tone by using cameras and microphones together. This helps it figure out how the child is feeling. Haru reads these emotional cues and reacts with understanding, no matter if the child is scared, sad, or just needs a little cheer up. It's kind of like having a robot friend who knows when you need a hug.
Haru can do more than just read feelings, though. A wearable wrist monitor can also be connected to the robot to give it more information about the child's health. This lets Haru connect with you in an even more personalised way, using real-time health data to offer comfort and reassurance. The wrist tracker measures things like heart rate, which helps Haru figure out if the child is hurt or sick, which makes it even better at helping them feel better.
To the people who work at Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Haru is more than just a friendly face in the corner. It works with medical workers, especially neuropsychologists, to help with tests of mental and emotional health. These tests are very important for finding out how young patients are handling their situation, especially those who have to stay in the hospital for a long time. Haru helps make the world a safer, more accepting place for kids by encouraging them to talk and connect with others.
This robot isn't just meant to make hospital stays easier; it's also meant to make kids feel less alone. Being in the hospital can be scary and make you feel alone, especially for kids who might not fully understand what's going on. Haru's presence is interactive and calming, adding a bit of normalcy to what can be a confusing time.
Haru is a big step forward in mixing AI with healthcare, especially when it comes to caring for kids. By paying attention to both physical and mental health, Honda is creating new ways that technology can be used to help kids and their families through hard times. Haru might be just the little friend that the kids at Virgen del Rocío University Hospital need to make their day better and feel more at ease.
As AI keeps getting better, we can only think how robots like Haru will get even smarter and better able to help and comfort people who need it. But for now, it's clear that Haru is already helping kids who need it the most.
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