Robot with artificial memory could aid in finding lost objects

A groundbreaking robot equipped with artificial memory has been developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada, offering hope to those who often misplace their belongings. The team believes this innovation could be particularly beneficial for individuals with dementia, reports Siasat.com.

Dr. Ali Ayub, a postdoctoral researcher in electrical and computer engineering at the university, expressed enthusiasm about the long-term impact of the project. He stated, "A user can be involved not just with a companion robot but a personalized companion robot that can give them more independence."

The inspiration for this research stemmed from the growing number of individuals suffering from dementia, a condition that impairs brain function, resulting in confusion, memory loss, and reduced capabilities. Many of these individuals repeatedly forget where they have placed everyday items, which not only diminishes their quality of life but also places additional burdens on caregivers.

Engineers at the University of Waterloo hypothesized that a companion robot equipped with its own episodic memory could revolutionize these situations. Through the utilization of artificial intelligence, they successfully created a unique artificial memory.

The research team initially employed a Fetch mobile manipulator robot, which incorporated a camera to perceive its surroundings. They then programmed the robot with an object-detection algorithm, allowing it to detect, track, and log specific objects within its field of vision through stored video.

By distinguishing one object from another, the robot can record the date and time an object enters or exits its view. To enhance usability, researchers developed a graphical interface that enables users to select objects they wish to track. After inputting the names of the objects, users can search for them using a smartphone app or computer. The robot then indicates the location and time it last observed the specific object.

Tests have demonstrated the system's high accuracy. Although some individuals with dementia may find the technology overwhelming, Dr. Ayub highlighted that caregivers can easily utilize it.

Moving forward, researchers plan to conduct user studies with both non-disabled individuals and those with dementia. The study showcasing this groundbreaking technology was recently presented at the 2023 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction.