Visits With A Social Companion Robot Improve Experiences For Hospitalized Children

Hospitalized children had a greater positive experience (termed "positive affect", including increased happiness, increased confidence, less stress due to worry, better emotional and physical health, and better coping skills) after they received a visit from Robin, a “social companion robot” than they did when tablets were used for visits. After a visit with Robin, children reported a 29% increase in positive affect, and a 33% decrease in negative affect. Children who had a tablet visit reported a 43% decrease in positive affect and a 33% decrease in negative affect. Positive affect is described as the tendency to view the world . . .