I’m more than just a robot—I was designed to address the unique needs of children and older adults. Built with CompassionateAI™, I help enhance the emotional well-being of everyone I interact with, creating moments of joy in challenging situations.
Robin is not a typical piece of hospital equipment. She is an award-winning, research-backed therapeutic robot designed to support both healthcare teams and patients in clinical environments.
Expper Technologies, the company behind Robin aims to create emotionally intelligent robots that can provide comfort and companionship where it is needed most. Robin has already begun making a difference in pediatrics and geriatrics, showing how technology can complement human care in sensitive situations.
A new face at St. Mary’s children’s hospital
At St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital in Bayside, New York, children now have a new “staff member” to brighten their days — a four-foot-tall robot with a white conical body, bright blue eyes, and a warm smile. Robin first arrived in June as part of a one-year pilot program, joining hundreds of young patients facing difficult diagnoses, from cancer to spinal injuries.
Robin is more than a novelty. She moves around the hospital to visit patients, chat about treatments, or simply distract them with lighthearted conversation and games. Programmed with the voice and personality of a 7-year-old girl, she can carry on back-and-forth conversations, play interactive activities, and even jump into discussions to encourage kids to join in.
How Robin connects with patients
Equipped with facial recognition and memory, Robin recalls details from past encounters. When meeting a child again, she might ask, “How did the surgery go?” — a small gesture that can make hospital stays feel more personal. She also introduces treatments in child-friendly language, preparing kids for what they will experience in a way that reduces fear and builds trust.
The goal is to provide what developers call “reciprocal screen time” — interactive engagement that stimulates children’s minds instead of leaving them passively watching a device. For many patients, Robin offers a welcome distraction and a chance to play and laugh, even during tough times.
Expanding presence across the U.S.
St. Mary’s is the first hospital in New York State to host Robin, but she is far from alone. Expper Technologies has already deployed 29 robots across the country, from California to Massachusetts. Each one is tailored to meet the needs of both children and older adults, creating a bridge between clinical care and emotional support.
Looking ahead
After the one-year pilot at St. Mary’s, hospital leaders will decide whether Robin will remain permanently. Early feedback suggests she is well on her way to becoming a long-term member of the care team.
