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Researchers in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) from Heriot-Watt University and The University of Edinburgh hosted a visit from Caroline Lamb, NHS Scotland Chief Executive and Director – General Health and Social Care, at the National Robotarium on 18 March. The purpose of the visit was to showcase the latest innovations in robotics for healthcare being developed by scientists.

Led by Professor Lynne Baillie, Heriot-Watt’s world-leading expert in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), the visit included an introduction from Chief Executive of the Robotarium, Stewart Miller, followed by a tour of the high-spec HRI labs and selection of demonstrations from researchers developing cutting-edge robotics and AI solutions to support people’s health, wellbeing and social care, and reduce pressure on clinical and healthcare staff.

Prof. Kia Nazarpour (University of Edinburgh), Dr Theo Georgiou (Heriot-Watt University) and Caroline Lamb

Examples of research included the FEATHER project, a ground-breaking study that is utilising AI and smart home sensors to monitor living habits and enable the early detection of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The project team, a partnership with the Robotarium and School of Informatics at Edinburgh University, is working with social care and residential homes to develop the smart data systems and help improve patient care for the condition, which affects 150 million people worldwide.

The Horizon Europe project SPRING, led by academic co-lead at the National Robotarium Professor Oliver Lemon, was also featured during the tour, with a demonstration of the socially-assistive ARI robots, which have been providing advice and comfort to elderly patients and those with cognitive decline in a hospital in Paris. Recent news of the study has captured the public’s imagination and garnered significant media interest worldwide.

The varied and comprehensive programme also included talks and visual presentations from Research Assistants and doctoral students from Edinburgh Centre for Robotics covering topics such as robotics-assisted surgery and assessment, automated upper-limb protheses and rehabilitation, robotic exoskeletons, wearable devices to combat drug overdoses, healthcare sensors, long-term monitoring resources for an ageing population, and legged robots.

Caroline was accompanied by Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer of South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, throughout the visit. Following the tour, they joined scientists and business figures from the Robotarium in a roundtable discussion on the future of applications of robotics in the NHS and beyond.

The visit was organised and led by Professor Lynne Baillie (front row, third from left)

Professor Lynne Baillie said: “On behalf of the research teams at Heriot-Watt and The University of Edinburgh, I’d like to express my gratitude to Caroline and Soumen for taking the time to visit the National Robotarium and learn about the wide-ranging robotic applications and solutions we’re developing with input from the health and social care industry.

“As Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and lead of the Digital Health and Care Directorate, Caroline was interested in learning about new innovations that can complement the existing care and support being given to patients across the country.
“Scotland’s population is ageing more rapidly than ever before. That, alongside the pandemic and other public health crises, is putting strain on existing health services, leading to longer waiting lists and staff burnout. We believe that the safe and responsible application of robotics, AI and data could provide solutions to current challenges facing the sector, facilitating independent-living for longer and improving patient wellbeing overall.”

Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer of South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Innovation and collaboration with partners across the nation is crucial to how increasingly sophisticated care is being delivered, compassionately, in and with communities.

“Indeed, this is something we are actively committed to in South Lanarkshire and across Lanarkshire as a whole.

“These are challenging times for health and social care services – which further reinforces the importance of innovation and collaboration with strategic partners such as our universities.

“From the stimulating presentations and lively discussions with colleagues from Heriot-Watt University and The University of Edinburgh, it is clear that there is huge scope to build upon the exciting developments that are already being progressed with the NHS in Scotland, and to expand the opportunities for collaboration in relation to social care and housing.

“We all clearly share a common, resolute commitment to the ongoing exchange of learning and experience with a view to harnessing all the potential of technology to enhance the vital work of our health and care staff and to improve the quality of lives across our diverse communities.

“I very much look forward to our harnessing the expertise and enthusiasm that is evident within the National Robotarium to contribute to the transformation of health and social care right across Scotland.”

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Researchers at the National Robotarium, hosted by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, are developing an artificial intelligence (AI) companion that will aid memory recollection, boost confidence and combat depression in people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

The idea for the ground-breaking ‘Agent-based Memory Prosthesis to Encourage Reminiscing’ (AMPER) project originated from Dr. Mei Yii Lim, a co-investigator of the project and an experienced memory modelling researcher.

Memory loss in people with Alzheimer’s disease occurs in reverse chronological order, with pockets of long-term memory remaining accessible even as the disease progresses. While most current rehabilitative care methods focus on physical aids and repetitive reminding techniques, AMPER’s AI-driven user-centred approach will focus on personalised storytelling to help bring a patient’s memories back to the surface.

Dr. Lim explains “AMPER will explore the potential for AI to help access an individual’s personal memories residing in the still viable regions of the brain by creating natural, relatable stories. These will be tailored to their unique life experiences, age, social context and changing needs to encourage reminiscing.”

Working in partnership with the University of Strathclyde, the team at Heriot-Watt University have been awarded £450,000 of funding by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Difficulties in communicating with others and decreased confidence are commonly experienced by people living with dementia and can often lead to individuals becoming withdrawn or depressed. By using AI to aid memory recollection, researchers at the National Robotarium hope that an individual’s sense of value, importance and belonging can be restored and quality of life improved.

The project’s long-term vision is to help demonstrate how AI companions can become more widely used and integrated into domestic, educational, health and assistive-needs settings.

Project partners include the charity Sporting Memories, which delivers reminiscence therapy to people with dementia through video footage in day care centre settings, NHS Scotland Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network, and the Latin American Network for Dementia Research.

The National Robotarium, a partnership between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, is part of the Data-Driven Innovation initiative and is supported by £21 million from the UK Government and £1.4 million from the Scottish Government through the £1.3 billion Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal – a 15 year investment programme jointly funded by both governments and regional partners.

Professor Ruth Aylett from the National Robotarium is leading the research. She said:

“One of the most difficult aspects of living with dementia can be changes in behaviour caused by confusion or distress. We know that people can experience very different symptoms that require a range of support responses. Current intervention platforms used to aid memory recollection often take a one-size-fits-all approach that isn’t always suitable to an individual’s unique needs.”

“AI technology has the potential to play a pivotal role in improving the lives of people living with cognitive diseases. Our ambition is to develop an AI-driven companion that offers patients and their caregivers a flexible solution to help give an individual a sustained sense of self-worth, social acceptance and independence.

“Through projects like AMPER, we’re able to highlight the many ways AI and robotics can both help and improve life for people now and in the future. At the National Robotarium, we’re working on research that will benefit people in adult care settings as well as across a wide range of other sectors that will make life easier, safer and more supported for people.”

Once developed, the AI technology will be accessed through a tablet-based interface to make it more widely accessible and low-cost. The research team at the National Robotarium plans to separately investigate the use of a desktop robot to determine if there are benefits to be gained by having a 3D representation of a character.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said:

“Alzheimer’s disease is one of the cruellest and most challenging diseases anyone can face, so it is very encouraging to hear that A.I. could help treat some of the symptoms of dementia and improve the quality of life for those afflicted.

“The UK Government is investing £21m in the National Robotarium to support world-leading research in Scotland with the potential to improve people’s lives everywhere.”

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