“I never in my lifetime thought I’d see

something like this!” 

Our Elsyng House Care Home, residents have been fortunate enough to experience what the future may look like, with the arrival of Hutech Robotics ‘Bella Bot’.

For many years the idea of mobile, talking robots was seen as a distant possibility, but as technology has developed, this vision is quickly becoming a reality.

After witnessing the semi-automated robot in operation at a London hotel, the senior leadership team at Oakland Care decided to contact the manufacturer, Hutech, with a vision for using Bella Bot to make a positive difference in the lives of their residents.

The team at Hutech responded positively, and over the last two weeks, residents and team members at Elsyng House have been receiving support from ‘Bella Bot’, a purpose-built, front-of-house support robot.

The robot waiter incorporates Simultaneous Localization and Mapping Technology, which uses advanced lasers and cameras to ensure it doesn’t collide with objects and moving people while on the move.

Since its arrival, Bella Bott has been welcomed into the care home’s hospitality team, helping with the delivery of food and drink, and the collection of empty plates and rubbish.

However, its functions do not stop there. With dozens of interactive facial expressions, it has played a big role in supporting with events at Elsyng House, from singing happy birthday to residents, telling jokes, and even greeting visitors at the front desk and guiding them around the award-winning care home.

Speaking about the robot, 103-year-old resident Donald Howkins said: “I never in my lifetime thought I’d see something like this. I thought when I was old there would be flying cars, not robots serving my lunch and coffee!”

When asked about the arrival of robot, Daisy Slavkova, General Manager, added: “We’re extremely proud to be the first social care provider to welcome robot technology into a care home.

“As a forward-thinking organisation, we recognise the possibilities that semi-automation offers our care homes, both for improving resident experience and enhancing the working lives of our team members. We are constantly looking at the opportunities that a product such as this would present for us.

“It has been fantastic to see the ways in which this technology can help drive the future of social care, and beyond. Bella Bot has great functionality and so many features that are extremely helpful with the day-to-day running of our Elsyng House care home.

“Importantly, the residents have thoroughly enjoyed having the robot at the home and have been blown away by what it can do!”

For more information about Elsyng House Care Home, click here