Matilda is the culmination of over 20 years of research and over 8 years of development and field trials undertaken during Professor Rajiv Khosla’s Directorship at the Research Centre for Computers, Communication and Social Innovation (RECCSI) at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
Prof Khosla has long been inspired by the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance human qualities. His published research in AI and machine learning with a human-centred approach brought him to NEC’s Innovation Research Laboratories in Nara, Japan. He’s been a central driver in bringing about a social perspective to the design of intelligent robots.
See the timeline of Matilda’s journey here
The design of social robot enabled life-long care systems is all about addressing the social and emotional wellbeing needs of our clients using a range of technologies and smart devices.
Our social robots can perceive human needs using human sensing and tracking attributes such as:
These features enable the robot to operate with an advanced level of personalisation.
Social robots deliver preventative, proactive and reactive care services by integrating with smart devices such as:
These life-long care systems provide a rich interactional environment with human-like engagement. Our robots can:
The social robots use the internet/wireless network and cloud computing infrastructure and a range of smart devices to form a unified communication network for our clients and their care providers. Our life-long care eco-system can also collect big data and provide near real-time analytics for monitoring, designing interventions and personalising care.
Across the world, healthcare systems are in crisis. The shortage of care workers puts significant demands on those who do hold caring roles. And the wellbeing of people who need the most support, our elderly and people experiencing disability and social isolation, is at risk. Without action, these groups may become even more isolated and suffer worsening mental health, with related impacts to physical wellbeing.
Matilda’s creator, Professor Rajiv Khosla, was driven to develop a solution from his personal experience with dementia and autism. His grandfather’s decline with dementia gave Rajiv painful insight into how the condition impacts quality of life. He was confident assistive technology could benefit those with diminished cognitive and communication capabilities, as well as their carers.
With his technical skill and research foundations in AI and machine learning, Rajiv united his team with social purpose to develop the emotionally and socially engaging robot we now know as Matilda.
