Meet 'Genie': The Future of Care Robots

A care robot called Genie is being trialled in Reading.

Made by Service Robotics in Bristol and tested at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Genie can give medication and hydration reminders, appointment alerts and daily mood check-ins. It can also take calls and play radio, YouTube and Netflix.

Researchers at the University of Reading's Henley Business School, led by Dr Rodrigo Perez-Vega and Dr Echo Feng, guided pilot uses and surveyed care staff.

Dr Perez-Vega said: "In a survey of 79 staff on elderly care wards, 62 per cent saw a role for robots on dementia wards."

"With the council, they've visited over 50s at community centres in Whitley Wood and Southcote."

"The university is working with robotic engineers to help deploy them and build familiarity."

The survey did flag concerns about scams and privacy, and the team says Genie needs more testing with other hospitals and councils before routine use.

Dr Feng said: "Genie needs to be charged and connected to WiFi. That is a little bit of a restriction, but the technology develops every day."

They told councillors Genie can be hooked to a TV via HDMI for a bigger screen. A video shown at the meeting demonstrated its call, medication reminder and entertainment functions.

Cllr Paul Gittings welcomed the presentation as part of the council's 'home first' policy, and called for more trials.

He said: "In Reading we have a home first policy, I see this as a 'super Alexa' service."

"This has got some potential, it's a glimpse into the future."

The talk was given to Reading Borough Council's Older People's Working Group on Friday, October 16. The group also heard from community energy advice charity SaveEnergy. The next meeting is on Friday, February 5, 2027.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter