Cambridgeshire and Robot Cats

Cambridgeshire County Council pilot scheme to use robotic cats to help people with learning disabilities and dementia.

12:52 10 September 2019

Cambridgeshire County Council is exploring ways on how to use technology to improve healthcare. In a pilot scheme, the council has revealed plans to use robotic cats in helping people with learning disabilities and dementia reduce their anxiety and stress levels as well as help them stay independent.

 

Lucy Forrest, technology enabled care team manager at Cambridgeshire County Council, is inviting people to test the new technology designed not just to provide companionship but also to help with everyday tasks and situations, such as reminding people to drink or help them move around at night using motion detector lights.

 

Ms Forrest said: "As part of the pilot to explore enabling technologies we've invited people to test the cats and to give us their feedback. Not only do they purr, they also roll over, play and have sensors that respond to touch.

 

"Though they are fun, in no way are they a gimmick or a toy, they do have a serious role to play in reducing people's stress and anxiety and potentially trigger happier feelings. The reaction we have received has been amazing, bringing a smile to people's faces and we're now investigating whether they can improve people's wellbeing over the long term. The good news is they've had an immediate impact and actually bring out people's caring side."