Technology to Engage, Educate and Entertain
Social robots and other innovative technologies can help people of all ages to connect, learn, and have fun. From daycares to classrooms, in hospitals, restaurants, LTC and retirement homes – these technologies provide valuable support to older adults, students, teachers, staff, and caregivers.
Impact of Social Robots
Engage the Brain and Body
Reduce Sadness and Loneliness
Connect people to each other
There is over 25 years of academic research that proves social robots and similar technologies can reduce loneliness, boredom and social isolation for older adults – whether they are in assisted living or aging at home.
In senior care, social robots also offer innovative ways to de-escalate and divert attention to support the goal of reducing use of anti-psychotic medications to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
Magnitude of the Problem
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) Profile of Residents in Residential and Hospital-based Continuing Care (2021-2022):
44.9%
of residents had limited or no
social engagement
(27.5% in Yukon to 51.6% in BC)
61.7%
had a diagnosis of dementia
(49.7% in Saskatchewan to 64.3% in ON)
24.2%
exhibited signs of depression
(10.8% in Manitoba to 40.5% in the Yukon)
Meet Mindy
Mindy likes to have simple conversations, play games, music and more! Our social robot can help recreation staff to better engage with and entertain residents.
Provide Joyful Moments:
Residents and staff are delighted to meet Mindy and learn what she can do
Increase Social Engagement:
Enable people to interact with robots and each other
Improve Cognitive well-being:
Games and content designed for older adults
Support staff:
What can social robots do?
With only 15 minutes of training, recreation staff (or volunteers) can easily learn how to be robot handlers.
Chat/ Talk (text to speech)
Play music, sing songs
Dance and move
Play games
Share family photos
Play videos and audio books
Video calls
Smart Speaker
Research Results
Social Robots received a Community Foundations of Canada, Investor Readiness Grant in January 2021 that allowed us to test our social robots in a retirement home and long-term care facility in Halton region. We also self-funded a field test at a retirement home in Windsor.
96% of residents wanted to see Mindy again after their first meeting
Average duration of 1:1 resident visit with Mindy: 41 minutes
Average time spent in group events in retirement home: 80 minutes
Thank you to Chartwell Lakeshore (Burlington), Bennett Village LTC (Georgetown) and Seasons Retirement Communities (Royal Oak Village) for participating in our 2021 pilot studies.
Testimonials
What People Say about Us
Based on our initial field testing, staff love working with Mindy and reported that the robot enabled them to connect with more residents. Family members who can’t visit in person as often as they would like are also pleased to learn about Mindy.
They were happy to share photos through a private portal. “Brilliant!”
We continue to embrace opportunities to learn about new technologies to support and enhance engagement and independence. We were delighted to welcome Mindy for a 4-week visit at Seasons Royal Oak Village.
Mindy brought lots of joyful moments to our residents. I enjoyed participating in the pilot study and learning how to work with a robot.
Resources
If you are interested in reading more about the impact of robots, getting into the details of our pilot studies, or want to download a training manual or our brand book, please visit our Resources page.
Partners
Social Robots is an AGE-WELL NCE Start-up Affiliate and a client at Haltech Regional Innovation Centre.
We are thankful for the support of the Community Foundations of Canada and
Oakville Community Foundation (2021 and 2023 Investor Readiness Program).
St Catharines, ON Canada
© 2021-2026 Social Robots Inc.