Barcelona Seniors Get Robot Companions That Dance and Provide Daily Care

A groundbreaking pilot program in Barcelona has placed 600 interactive robots in homes and care facilities to assist elderly residents with daily tasks and provide companionship. The 4.35-foot-tall devices remind users to take medication, schedule appointments, and even dance with their owners, addressing Spain's growing elderly care crisis.

A 67-year-old Barcelona woman hadn’t moved to music in over 20 years — until an unusual new housemate arrived last November and got her dancing again.

Irene Veglison welcomed a 4.35-foot-tall robotic companion into her home as part of an innovative city program designed to help residents experiencing early cognitive decline.

“We’re developing this pilot project to improve tele-assistance,” explained Marta Villanueva Cendán, a Barcelona municipal council member.

Spain, like numerous nations worldwide, is grappling with longer lifespans and declining birth rates, creating mounting challenges for its eldercare system as the population ages.

“In the future, we want the robots to detect risk and alert professionals, like if the person has fallen and cannot respond,” Villanueva Cendán noted.

The city has distributed 600 of these robotic assistants to private residences and care facilities through a program funded by a 3.8 million euro ($4.47 million) European Union COVID recovery grant.

U.S. company Misty Robotics manufactures the devices, while Catalan business Grup Saltó handles European distribution.

Veglison, who shares her home with two cats, has christened her mechanical helper “Sandi.” The robot provides morning wake-up calls, delivers medication reminders at 9 a.m., tracks medical appointments, and offers goodnight wishes each evening.

Official statistics show nearly 2 million Spanish citizens over 65 live by themselves, with women comprising three-quarters of this population.

Research suggests the nation must double its long-term care workforce by 2030. However, wages approximately 10,000 euros below the national average have discouraged younger job seekers, and more than half of existing staff members are over 45, according to think-tank Funcas.

During emergencies, Veglison can contact a social worker through her device, which features a camera that can be remotely activated to evaluate situations and provide assistance.

Using the robot’s built-in display, she browsed YouTube and chose a French chanson, then moved rhythmically with Sandi as its screen swayed in sync with her motions.

The machines come equipped with screens featuring entertainment applications, calendars, maps, and various cartoon-style facial expressions for standby mode, including “surprised,” “loving,” and “asleep” options.

“It’s not just a trinket: there are lots of people behind it who are looking out for you, checking whether you’ve fallen down, whether you’re okay,” Veglison said.