NextFin news, On Friday, September 19, 2025, Robin, an artificial intelligence-powered therapeutic robot programmed to behave like a 7-year-old girl, is actively providing emotional support in 30 healthcare facilities across the United States, including hospitals and nursing homes in California, Massachusetts, New York, and Indiana.
Developed by Expper Technologies, Robin is designed to alleviate emotional distress among patients, particularly children and elderly individuals, by engaging them in interactive activities such as playing games, singing songs, and mirroring their emotions. The robot's childlike voice and animated facial expressions help create a comforting presence that combats fear, loneliness, and anxiety in clinical settings.
Robin operates with approximately 30% autonomy, while a team of remote operators controls the remaining functions under clinical supervision. This hybrid control allows Robin to learn from interactions and gradually improve its emotional responsiveness while complying with patient privacy regulations such as HIPAA.
Healthcare professionals report that Robin helps fill gaps caused by staffing shortages and high workloads, enabling nurses and child life specialists to focus on medical care while Robin provides companionship and distraction. For example, at UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts, Robin has been noted to remember patients and engage them with personalized interactions, such as playing their favorite music or games.
In pediatric units, Robin supports children undergoing stressful procedures by explaining medical processes through cartoons and empathetic dialogue, helping reduce fear. In nursing homes, the robot assists dementia patients with memory games and breathing exercises, offering companionship akin to that of a grandchild.
The robot’s development was inspired by the founder’s personal experience with loneliness and aims to create a friend-like presence for patients. Since its initial launch in Armenia, Robin has evolved through user feedback and is now part of ongoing studies to assess its impact on patient well-being and healthcare delivery.
At UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, Robin was introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support isolated pediatric patients. The hospital’s Chase Child Life Program remotely operates Robin, integrating it into the care team to provide developmental and coping support during times when traditional interventions are limited.
Researchers at UCLA and other institutions are conducting studies to evaluate Robin’s effectiveness in improving emotional outcomes for children and families, with early findings indicating significant reductions in negative emotions among patients and their parents after interactions with the robot.
Looking ahead, developers plan to enhance Robin’s capabilities to include vital sign monitoring and assistance with daily activities for elderly patients, aiming to make the robot an essential part of healthcare delivery without replacing human workers.
Robin’s deployment reflects a growing trend of integrating artificial intelligence and robotics into healthcare to address workforce shortages and improve patient experiences, particularly in emotionally challenging environments.
Sources: Associated Press via ABC News (September 19, 2025), UCLA Health (September 19, 2025), News-Medical.net (September 19, 2025).
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