PROVIDENCE – A National Science Foundation grant of $1 million will fund work by Brown University’s Humanity-Centered Robotics Initiative to design a smart-robot animal companion for older adults.
The project, Affordable Robotic Intelligence for Elderly Support, or ARIES, involves a team of researchers led by Brown, in a partnership with toy, board game and entertainment production company Hasbro Inc., based in Pawtucket. The AIRES team aims to add artificial intelligence to Hasbro’s interactive toy cats and dogs, Joy for All Companion Pets – so they can help senior citizens with medication reminders and other tasks.
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Bertram Malle, a professor in Brown’s Department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences, is co-director of HCRI and the principal investigator on the grant.
“What we want to do now is leverage our expertise in cognitive and computer science to add capabilities to this robotic pet. Neither of us could do this on our own, but together we have the expertise to potentially develop something truly beneficial,” Malle said.
The team also involves researchers from the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Bradley and Butler hospitals in Providence and the University of Cincinnati. According to Brown University, the next three years will include user studies on how ARIES can best serve older adults, looking at sensor systems that would allow the companion to find lost keys, for example, and research on effective communication between the companion and its user.
The project goal is to increase safety for seniors, especially those with mild dementia, according to Brown, and not to replace the work of human caregivers, but complement it with help meeting the challenges of an aging population.
The “Affordable” part of the AIRES acronym is a critical factor in the project.
Michael Littman, a professor of computer science at Brown and co-principal investigator on the grant, said cost considerations make Hasbro a great project partner. “The current Joy for All pets cost roughly $100, while similar robotic products can cost $5,000 to $6,000. We want the ARIES robot to be available to anyone who needs it,” he said in a press release.
Ted Fischer is vice president for business development at Hasbro.
“Social isolation and loneliness are growing issues for older adults,” Fischer said. “Hasbro’s expertise in play and engaging experiences in collaboration with leading scientists from Brown’s HCRI is a powerful combination to explore additional impactful uses for ARIES companions.”
Susan Shalhoub is a PBN contributing writer.
