The Hague University of Applied Sciences and Vilans, a knowledge organization for care and support, have jointly investigated the possibilities of the Hyodol care robot in Dutch elderly care. The 90-day study showed that Hyodol can be used well for clients outside a healthcare institution. The expected positive effects turned out to be true: it increases the client's independence and reduces loneliness. But the Hyodol also seems to have many options for clients within a healthcare institution and in care for the disabled.

Care robots are increasingly used in long-term care. Various care robots are available in the Netherlands, such as Maatje, Tinybots Tessa and SARA Robotics. But there are also many other types of care robots available at home and abroad. One of these remarkable robots is the Hyodol from South Korea, specially made for elderly people with dementia.

Social buddy

The Hyodol is a social buddy that helps with the daily schedule and collects data via sensors. Through a dashboard and a smartphone app, caregivers, family members and informal caregivers can see how the robot is used, send messages and personalize settings. The robot can respond to touch, speak sweet sentences, provide support for a healthy life, provide information to the elderly, play recorded messages and stimulate thinking skills.

Purpose of the investigation

The aim of the 90-day study was to investigate in a short period of time whether Hyodol could be valuable for Dutch healthcare. We wanted to discover who the possible users are and what benefits Hyodol's functions and sensors can provide. We also wanted to investigate whether the robot can be adapted to specific needs and wishes of Dutch healthcare institutions and how it compares to other healthcare robots already in use here.

Enthusiastic reactions

Conversations with clients and care staff from healthcare institutions provided a lot of information. Clients liked the robot and immediately started interacting with it. They saw the robot as a buddy that could talk and sing with them. According to the elderly, the robot can also be used for comfort, reassurance and against loneliness.

Most healthcare workers who participated in the exploration were also enthusiastic, although some thought the robot looked childish to certain clients. The enthusiastic healthcare workers loved the clothes, colors and size. Questions were asked about hygiene, given the huggable nature of the robot.

During the Love2Innovate festival organized by the Center for Innovative Craftsmanship of the ROC Mondriaan, a presentation was given to students of the nursing course. The various possibilities of the Hyodol were devised through a role play. In this way, the students were able to become acquainted with healthcare technology and see the added value. The students were very enthusiastic!

Opportunities for use

At first glance, healthcare workers in elderly care see opportunities for using the robot within and outside healthcare institutions (extramural and intramural). There is also a lot of enthusiasm in disability care.

During the Smart Care Relay, the results were presented to 30 healthcare professionals during an online seminar. During this meeting, healthcare professionals were asked how they expected to use hyodol. Many professionals still have doubts about using the doll, but did see added value in the future. They see benefits, especially in elderly people with early dementia. But also for elderly people who live alone at home to combat loneliness through socializing. When Hyodol is used, healthcare professionals expect to be able to better structure the client's day, maintain the client's own control and combat loneliness.