On 23.12.2021, SWR reported in Aktuell Baden-Württemberg about the EmoCare project of the University of Applied Sciences Offenburg. The two-minute report shows nursing robot “Misa” during an initial test deployment at Sankt Carolushaus in Freiburg.

©SWR aktuell

Are nursing robots a remedy for staff shortages?

To answer this question, an SWR team looked at the EmoCare project at Offenburg University of Applied Sciences. EmoCare is researching a sensor module for social care robots. With the help of artificial intelligence, the aim is to draw conclusions about the emotional state of patients from the analysis of their voice, facial expressions and body posture.

The robot is still under development. Later, it will support nursing staff in caring for the elderly. And that is precisely the advantage of Misa, explains Oliver Korn, a professor at Offenburg University of Applied Sciences. The robot can monitor the emotional state of residents around the clock. If necessary, it can call for help.

Test phase at Sankt Carolushaus in Freiburg

The TV team visited a test phase at Sankt Carolushaus in Freiburg, where residents were able to talk to the robot on a trial basis. Here, the little helper was already quite well received.

EmoCare is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) as part of the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM).