Robot Helps Ailing Couple Stay Home as Aging Population Grows
A robot named Robbie is helping Brenda and Brian Marquis, a couple with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities, remain in their Durham, New Hampshire home. The robot, a model called Stretch 4 made by Hello Robot, is piloted by a University of New Hampshire laboratory with funding from the National Institute of Aging. It rolls out several times a day to prompt Brian, who has a traumatic brain injury from a 2012 car crash and dementia, to exercise, eat, drink water, and follow hygiene routines. Brenda Marquis said she turned to robotics after struggling to find home care support in New Hampshire. The robot costs nearly $30,000 and launched in May, but is far from widespread. Developers see it as a step toward addressing a deepening shortage of home care aides as the oldest baby boomers turn 80. The article notes that humanoid robots remain impractical for most homes, while simpler mobile robots like Stretch offer practical assistance.
What’s reported
The robot, named Robbie by the couple, is a Stretch 4 model made by Hello Robot.
It assists Brenda and Brian Marquis, who have physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities.
Brian Marquis suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2012 car crash and has dementia.
The robot is piloted by a University of New Hampshire lab with funding from the National Institute of Aging.
It prompts Brian to exercise, eat, drink water, and perform evening and hygiene routines.
Brenda Marquis said she struggled to find home care support in New Hampshire.
The robot costs nearly $30,000 and launched in May.
Hello Robot’s CEO is Aaron Edsinger, a former Google director of robotics.
Momotaz Begum, a UNH computer science professor, leads the lab experimenting with socially assistive robots.
The Stretch 4 includes a telescoping gripper that can retrieve a water bottle and help read prescription labels.
Key figures
Brenda Marquis (caregiver, age 59)
Brian Marquis (husband, age 59, with traumatic brain injury and dementia)
Momotaz Begum (UNH computer science professor)
Aaron Edsinger (CEO of Hello Robot)
Robbie (the Stretch 4 robot)
Rodrique Ngowi (AP journalist who contributed)
Sources: abcnews.com
