Robin, an AI-powered therapeutic robot designed to behave like a cheerful 7-year-old girl, is revolutionizing patient care in hospitals and nursing homes by providing emotional support and companionship. Developed by Expper Technologies, Robin AI robot has helped alleviate staff shortages and improve patient engagement across 30 healthcare facilities in the U.S., including hospitals in California, Massachusetts, New York, and Indiana.
How Robin AI robot Enhances Patient Experience in Healthcare Settings
Robin stands 4 feet tall and features a large screen displaying cartoon-like facial expressions. The AI robot interacts with patients by remembering their names, favorite music, and interests, creating a comforting presence that helps reduce anxiety and loneliness. Samantha da Silva, a speech language pathologist, shared that patients “light up” when Robin visits their rooms and appreciates how the AI robot’s ability to engage in personalized interactions brings joy to every patient.
Robin’s ability to mirror emotions—laughing when patients laugh and showing empathy during difficult moments—adds a deeply human touch to its interactions. This relatable behavior makes Robin especially effective for children, elderly patients, and individuals with dementia, where it can play memory games, lead breathing exercises, or simply provide companionship like a caring friend.
Addressing Healthcare Staffing Shortages with AI Technology
The healthcare industry is facing significant workforce challenges, with the Association of American Medical Colleges projecting a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians in the next decade. Robin offers a technology-driven solution by easing the burden on nurses and medical staff.
Karen Khachikyan, CEO of Expper Technologies, explained, “Nurses and medical staff are really overworked, under a lot of pressure… Robin helps to alleviate that part from them.” Currently, Robin operates with about 30% autonomy, with remote human operators managing the rest, all while complying with HIPAA regulations to protect patient privacy.
Future Developments: Expanding Robin’s Role in Patient Care
Expper Technologies aims to develop Robin into a more independent and multifunctional care assistant. Upcoming features include vital signs monitoring, patient status updates to medical teams, and assistance with daily living activities such as dressing and bathroom use—further integrating Robin as a key part of healthcare delivery.
Karen Khachikyan emphasized that Robin is designed not to replace healthcare workers but to support them by filling in workforce gaps and improving patient care quality. This vision reflects a balance between advancing AI technology and maintaining the essential human element in medicine.
Real-Life Impact: Robin in Action
At Health Bridge Children’s Hospital in California, Robin’s visits brighten patients’ days. For example, it plays favorite songs—like “No Fear” by DeJ Loaf for a teen recovering from a car accident—and engages children with games and playful antics such as wearing silly glasses and red noses.
Robin also assists child life specialists like Micaela Cotas by preparing young patients for medical procedures. By demonstrating procedures with cartoons and acting as a relatable peer, Robin helps reduce fear and improve cooperation during treatments.
The Story Behind Robin’s Creation
Founded during Karen Khachikyan’s Ph.D. studies, Robin was inspired by his childhood loneliness growing up in a single-parent household in Armenia. After trials in several industries, the team identified pediatric hospitals as an ideal environment to deploy Robin’s compassionate AI.
Since its launch in the United States in 2020, Robin’s personality and features have evolved based on user feedback. A quirky detail such as Robin’s favorite animal—chicken—was chosen after children found it humorously unexpected, reflecting the user-driven design approach.