The robot companion that could soon be helping older people age better

A cargo-carrying robot that follows you around could be the answer to promoting healthy ageing.

Research carried out by Newcastle University in the UK has shown the gita robot (pronounced jee-ta and spelt with a lowercase ‘g’) can support the mobility and wellbeing of older people.

The findings of the world-first citizen-led study have revealed gita – which looks like an over-sized medicine ball on wheels and has been designed to follow humans – has the potential to help alleviate loneliness in independent older people by prompting conversations and social interaction, as well as encouraging walking, and fostering independence and more sustainable living.

Dr Shuo Li, a research associate at Newcastle University’s School of Engineering, and lead author of the study, said it “demonstrates how future mobility and robotic innovations have the potential to address the global challenge of ageing.”

Designed by Boston-based robotics company Piaggio Fast Forward and backed by the Piaggio Group – the makers of the iconic Vespa scooter – gita was launched onto the US market in 2019 to help make everyday life easier, smarter, and more fun for humans of all ages.

Its sole purpose is to follow people wherever they go. Moving at a speed of up to six miles an hour and able to carry a load of 18kg in its internal cargo compartment, gita communicates through sound, light, touch and 360-degree vision.

Whilst gita can’t climb stairs, it can move around buildings with lifts and ramps as well as hard surfaces like pavements.

With one in six of the world’s population predicted to be aged over 65 by 2050 and growing numbers of older people needing care, the team at Newcastle University spotted the potential for gita robots to help foster more independent and sustainable living, as well as potentially lessening the effects of loneliness and isolation.

The researchers showed videos of an older adult interacting with the gita robot in a real-world setting to a group of study participants with an average age of 75, and analysed their feedback and requirements.

They indicated that the robot would physically support them when out for a walk, removing the need to carry things like groceries, and even acting as a seat. Several participants also suggested the robot could be useful for carrying items to help support them whilst out for a walk.

According to the Newcastle University team the results have also shown that gita can facilitate social interactions, such as gaining potential attention and acting as a talking point to help kickstart conversations.

A gita robot being trialled in Newcastle in the UK

Other aspects the researchers investigated included the perceived benefits for others in the community, any issues of the human-following robots, and requirements for improvements.

Many of the participants suggested they did not yet need the support of a human-following robot, given that they could still carry belongings or drive, but indicated it could be useful for maintaining their mobility and independence if their health were to decline or their circumstances changed in the future.

Follow-up research is now underway to examine and quantify older adults’ interaction with a human-following robot in a real-world context.

The study has been published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports and is based on final-year research undertaken by former Master of Engineering (Meng) student, Kirsty Milligan, who was supervised by Professor Phil Blythe and Dr Shuo Li.

The civil engineering graduate said: “My research project was a valuable opportunity for me to try something a bit different as part of the final year of my MEng degree, and it was really interesting to explore whether such an innovative technology has the potential to support active ageing.

“I enjoyed talking to the participants and hearing their thoughts on the robot, as well as learning more about research methods and qualitative data analysis.

“It is really exciting that a paper based on my work has been published, and I hope it inspires others to further explore the use of these types of technologies by older people.

“I’ll be interested to see where future research in this area goes, and if maybe we will see these types of robots in everyday use one day.”

The gita robots are being tested by the team at the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) on Tyneside, a world-leading organisation supported by an initial investment from the UK government and Newcastle University, which is looking at ways of co-developing and bringing to market products and services to create an environment in which people can live better for longer.

Gita will follow behind and can carry up to 18kg of belongings

NICA’s director and one of the study’s co-authors is Professor Nic Palmarini. He said: “This is an example of how emerging technologies can help tackle and mitigate isolation and support older adults’ engagement in outdoor activities, a crucial driver to population’s health and longevity.

“This is a great example of what we have defined as ‘ageing Intelligence’ at work and is part of our wider research on supporting mobility for our older citizens.”

Phil Blythe, professor of Intelligent Transport Systems, and head of the Future Mobility Group at Newcastle University, who also co-authored the study, added: “We believe that research into supporting the mobility of older people and ensuring they have transport systems and services that are fit for purpose is critical for a fair and levelled up society.

“This is one of the key areas of my group’s research where we are always looking for future technologies that can improve the mobility of all.”

The researchers argue that while these robots offer advantages, there is a need for additional improvements to their design to fully support older people.

They say it is crucial to take into account the needs and demands of older individuals when creating and advancing age-friendly robots that can follow humans.

Limitations highlighted in the study include the possible negative interactions between the robot and others. The researchers suggest considering future iterations of the robot that address these concerns, such as implementing a security system that connects to a remote operator.

According to the study’s results, robot developers and innovators must focus on improving the robots’ ability to navigate kerbs, steps, and diverse terrain for them to be practical for most elderly people.