The future has arrived at Oakland Care’s Elsyng House care home in the London Borough of Enfield in the form of Hutech Robotics' Bella Bot.
Having encountered the semi-automated robot in operation at a London hotel, Oakland Care’s senior leadership team contacted manufacturer Hutech with a vision for using Bella Bot to make a positive difference in the lives of their residents.
Bella Bot incorporates Simultaneous Localization and Mapping Technology via the use of lasers and cameras to eliminate collisions while on the move. The robot has been assisting Oakland staff with the delivery of food and drink and the collection of empty plates and rubbish, as well as supporting events at Elsyng House by singing happy birthday to residents, telling jokes, and greeting visitors at the front desk and guiding them around the home.
General manager Daisy Slavkova said: “We’re extremely proud to be the first social care provider to welcome robot technology into a care home.
“As a forward-thinking organisation, we recognise the possibilities that semi-automation offers our care homes, both for improving resident experience and enhancing the working lives of our team members. We are constantly looking at the opportunities that a product such as this would present for us.
“It has been fantastic to see the ways in which this technology can help drive the future of social care, and beyond. Bella Bot has great functionality and so many features that are extremely helpful with the day-to-day running of our Elsyng House care home.
“Importantly, the residents have thoroughly enjoyed having the robot at the home and have been blown away by what it can do!”
Resident Donald Howkins, 103, added: “I never in my lifetime thought I’d see something like this. I thought when I was old there would be flying cars, not robots serving my lunch and coffee!”
