‘Jeanie,’ a life-like robotic dog, is making remarkable strides in technology and is poised to bring about transformative changes in the medical field, offering invaluable support to senior citizens living with dementia.
Jeanie’s development was inspired by the ailing mother of Thomas Stevens, the co-founder and CEO of Tombot robotic company, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia back in 2011. Stevens shared that his mother was very fond of her Goldendoodle puppy, but for safety reasons, the dog had to be rehomed and part ways with his mother. Unfortunately, the loss of the dog exacerbated her loneliness and depression.
But, the case of Stevens’ mother was not a unique case, rather there are over 300 million senior citizens who suffer from dementia who might’ve been looking for a companion but falls short of looking after a live animal. Staying true to being “a man’s best friend,” Jeanie was conceptualized by Tombot to address the matter at hand. The company aims to create robotic animals to help individuals offset health adversities by providing care and comfort.
With wagging tales, blinking eyes, moving bodies, and imitating puppy sounds, Jeanie is as close as one could get from a real-life puppy. Jeanie was designed this way to treat the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. The company also shared that they are currently aiming to be the first robotic animal functioning as a medical device to be registered under the Food and Drug Administration.
Research has also proven that robotic animals curb the use of pain medications as they help reduce a patient’s pain. A 2023 research stated that these technological interventions have gained momentum over time as a means to support the psychosocial wellbeing of people with dementia. These pet robots were also proven to reduce agitation, improve mood and social engagement
However, the same research found that there are still polarizing opinions from care professionals and organizational leaders regarding the use of pet robots like Jeanie for dementia patients.
The researchers suggested that it is crucial to proactively involve care practitioners, dementia patients, and their families in a dialogue that takes into account ethical and sustainable considerations regarding the use of pet robots in these medical cases.
Although much is yet to be studied and established regarding the use of pet robots, this technological development surely looks promising in the long run.
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