Since early May, UZ Brussel has been testing a social robot to comfort children and inform parents in the emergency department, with the trial set to continue until 1 June.
The hospital aims to explore how technology can enhance a warmer, child-friendly care environment.
The social robot, developed by the company Deduco, serves two main functions. It provides information to parents about necessary procedures and how to explain these to their children.
Credit: UZ Brussel/Belga
Additionally, it acts as a digital hospital clown, diverting children's attention during medical procedures and making waiting times more enjoyable with interactive projections.
The robot is equipped with two screens, including one at the child's height, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on medical care.
Credit: UZ Brussel/Belga
The current testing phase, lasting until 1 June, aims to assess how children, parents, and healthcare providers interact with the robot.
Initially deployed in the emergency department, the robot could potentially be used in other areas such as paediatrics or intensive care.
