Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US are designing a robot teddy that can interact with its owner, and alert medical staff to changes in a sick child’s condition.
Huggable will be fitted with sensors, and tested in the Highlands.Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which is supporting the projects, said that prototypes would be involved in a trial in the region in about three months time.
The task of further development of the robot teddy will be given to a local company, which will be selected soon.
The researchers engaged in the project are trying to give the teddy the ability to respond to cuddles, and to recognise its owner as they approach it.
They say that the teddy is being developed as a companion for children and older people.
The researchers hope that the teddy will raise the alarm whenever its owner is in distress.
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Last year, the first designs of the teddy were shown to nursery children in Avoch in the Black Isle.
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LIN/P
