The Rise of Robin: How AI-Powered Therapy Robots Are Transforming Pediatric Care

Fri Sep 26 2025 15:53:56 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Robin, the AI-powered therapy robot, is revolutionizing interactions between medical staff and pediatric patients, providing emotional support and companionship in hospitals across the U.S.

Following the diagnosis of her son's leukemia, Meagan Brazil-Sheehan experienced an uplifting interaction with Robin, a therapeutic robot designed to support pediatric patients. Robin utilizes artificial intelligence to engage with children in hospitals, helping alleviate the emotional burden during difficult times while assisting medical staff facing staffing shortages. As healthcare evolves, Robin signifies the promising intersection of technology and patient care, offering companionship and potential medical monitoring capabilities for future healthcare demands.

Days after Meagan Brazil-Sheehan's 6-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia, they ran into Robin the Robot at UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center.

“Luca, how are you?” it asked in a cheerful tone. “It’s been a while.”

Brazil-Sheehan noted their previous encounter, describing Luca's face lighting up in recognition of the robot.

Robin, a 4-foot-tall therapeutic robot, uses artificial intelligence to provide emotional support and engage patients in pediatric units, while alleviating pressure on healthcare workers. Operational across 30 healthcare facilities in states like California and Massachusetts, it addresses concerns over staffing shortages in the medical field.

CEO of Expper Technologies, Karen Khachikyan, stated, “Nurses and medical staff are under a lot of pressure and often lack the time to connect with patients.” He added that Robin helps establish that engagement.

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, it raises questions about its impact on patient care. Robin, currently operating at about 30% autonomy, works alongside clinical staff while collecting interaction data to enhance its operational capabilities.

In practice, Robin provides entertainment and companionship. For example, it danced with a car accident patient to his favorite song, engaged pediatric patients with memory games, and provided emotional support during difficult moments.

The aim for Robin includes evolving to measure patients' vitals and deliver personalized care, thereby enhancing its role in healthcare without replacing human providers.

Khachikyan shared Robin's development stemmed from his childhood experiences in a single-parent household, fueling a desire to create a companion for those in need. Tested in various settings, Robin's primary role now lies in pediatric care, where it has received positive feedback from patients and medical professionals alike.

Ultimately, Robin represents a shift in medical practice, showcasing how technology can complement human touch in healthcare, fulfilling emotional and physical support needs for young patients.