The 30cm-tall AV1 robot units allow children to communicate remotely with their family at home, friends and school, or other people in their wards.

The Starlight Children’s Foundation, a national charity that aims to preserve childhood throughout serious illness, said it’s important to keep in contact with others when patients are seriously ill or in isolation units.

Communication with loved ones can also improve on the young patients’ mental health and tackle the loneliness which children are likely to experience in isolation.

The charity said the technology works by putting a portable robot where the child would usually be, whether that be in the comfort of their own home, at school or with friends.

The child can then control the robot via a tablet to interact with the surrounding environment by listening, talking and moving it up and down. The robot’s camera is also controlled by the child and the user can control the unit’s four programmed facial expressions – happy, sad, confused or neutral.

Unlike conventional, two-way communication apps, the AV1 does not have a screen showing the child, avoiding the risk of the patient feeling self-conscious about their treatment.

Starlight trialled the robots during performances of their touring pantomime for children in hospital, so those who could not attend a show did not miss out.

The charity said a young girl was unable to leave her room and was stressed due to ongoing investigations. However, she was distracted by being able to see the pantomime “which made her laugh and allowed her to be a child again”.

Starlight is now piloting the robots’ use at St Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle, the Royal Surrey Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Lewisham, London.

“We are really excited to be testing technology to help support our cause,” said Dr Sandra Gulyurtlu, head of insights and impact at Starlight. “Following the initial test during the pantomime tour, we observed improvements in children’s mood, engagement and wellbeing after using AV1.”

She added: “Now the AV1 robot has been placed in a hospital setting, we are excited to see the results of their long-term use.”

Lauren Archibald, activities co-ordinator at St Oswald’s Hospice said they strived to provide a home-from-home environment for children with life-limiting and life-shortening conditions and the robots can help make sure they do not miss out on family time.

“For us, it is about the child having a good time They shouldn’t have to sacrifice their childhood just to be able to receive the care they need,” she said. “The Starlight robot will help achieve that, as it can represent the child’s presence at school or home so they can experience it as if they were there, while receiving the best care here.”

In June 2019, a study by researchers at MIT indicated that a ‘social robot’ can be used in support sessions to help reduce sick children’s anxiety, pain and other distress while in a hospital setting.

The 30cm-tall AV1 robot units allow children to communicate remotely with their family at home, friends and school, or other people in their wards.

The Starlight Children’s Foundation, a national charity that aims to preserve childhood throughout serious illness, said it’s important to keep in contact with others when patients are seriously ill or in isolation units.

Communication with loved ones can also improve on the young patients’ mental health and tackle the loneliness which children are likely to experience in isolation.

The charity said the technology works by putting a portable robot where the child would usually be, whether that be in the comfort of their own home, at school or with friends.

The child can then control the robot via a tablet to interact with the surrounding environment by listening, talking and moving it up and down. The robot’s camera is also controlled by the child and the user can control the unit’s four programmed facial expressions – happy, sad, confused or neutral.

Unlike conventional, two-way communication apps, the AV1 does not have a screen showing the child, avoiding the risk of the patient feeling self-conscious about their treatment.

Starlight trialled the robots during performances of their touring pantomime for children in hospital, so those who could not attend a show did not miss out.

The charity said a young girl was unable to leave her room and was stressed due to ongoing investigations. However, she was distracted by being able to see the pantomime “which made her laugh and allowed her to be a child again”.

Starlight is now piloting the robots’ use at St Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle, the Royal Surrey Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Lewisham, London.

“We are really excited to be testing technology to help support our cause,” said Dr Sandra Gulyurtlu, head of insights and impact at Starlight. “Following the initial test during the pantomime tour, we observed improvements in children’s mood, engagement and wellbeing after using AV1.”

She added: “Now the AV1 robot has been placed in a hospital setting, we are excited to see the results of their long-term use.”

Lauren Archibald, activities co-ordinator at St Oswald’s Hospice said they strived to provide a home-from-home environment for children with life-limiting and life-shortening conditions and the robots can help make sure they do not miss out on family time.

“For us, it is about the child having a good time They shouldn’t have to sacrifice their childhood just to be able to receive the care they need,” she said. “The Starlight robot will help achieve that, as it can represent the child’s presence at school or home so they can experience it as if they were there, while receiving the best care here.”

In June 2019, a study by researchers at MIT indicated that a ‘social robot’ can be used in support sessions to help reduce sick children’s anxiety, pain and other distress while in a hospital setting.