Germany is developing a humanoid robot, named “Garmi,” to provide healthcare to elderly people. The robot can perform diagnostics, provide care, and treatment to patients. The robot is part of a new discipline called geriatronics, which combines advanced technologies such as robotics, IT, and 3D technology for geriatrics, gerontology, and nursing. Abdeldjallil Naceri, the lead scientist of the lab, believes that the integration of this technology into society by 2030 is essential. The Sankt Vinzenz retirement home in Garmisch is a partner of the project, and Eva Pioskowik, the director of the home, believes that the robot could give staff more time to spend with residents. However, building trust with patients remains a significant challenge for the team, and patients must feel comfortable using the robot.
Germany has developed a humanoid robot named “Garmi” to provide healthcare to elderly people. Geriatronics is a new discipline that uses advanced technologies like robotics, IT, and 3D technology for geriatrics, gerontology, and nursing. With the increasing need for care, Germany, being one of the world’s most rapidly ageing societies, faces a significant shortage of carer posts. As a result, researchers are working to develop robots that can take over some of the tasks that nurses, carers, and doctors currently perform. Abdeldjallil Naceri, the lead scientist of the lab, believes that in the future, people will be able to get their medical examination in a technology hub, just as they can get cash from ATMs today.
Garmi is equipped with a black screen on which two blue circles act as eyes and can perform diagnostics, provide care and treatment to patients. The robot has been developed by about a dozen scientists at the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence, who work closely with medical practitioners like retired German doctor Guenter Steinebach. Part of the Technical University of Munich, the institute has a unit that specializes in geriatronics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, home to one of Germany’s highest proportions of elderly people.
Doctors could evaluate the robot’s diagnostics results remotely, which could be particularly valuable for people living in remote areas. Alternatively, the machine could provide personalized service at home or in a care home, such as serving meals, opening bottles of water, calling for help in case of falls, or organizing video calls with family and friends. In the Garmisch laboratory, Steinebach tests the robot’s progress, while medical practitioners offer their ideas and feedback on the robot.
Garmi, like a three-year-old child, must learn everything, says Naceri. With an estimated 670,000 carer posts unfilled in Germany by 2050, researchers are racing to develop robots that can help alleviate the strain. Geriatronics combines advanced technology with medical care to improve the quality of life for elderly people.
Naceri believes that deploying the robot is necessary due to the urgency of the situation as statistics show that Germany’s ageing population requires immediate care. He insists that integrating this technology into society by 2030 is essential. The Sankt Vinzenz retirement home in Garmisch is a partner of the project, and residents there may see Garmi navigating the corridors someday. While Eva Pioskowik, the director of the home, does not believe that robots will replace healthcare workers, she thinks they could give staff more time to spend with residents. The team is aware that building trust with patients will be a challenge. They need to feel comfortable with the robot and use it just like they use a smartphone today.
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