The robot will see you now... AI could take the burden off nurses by dealing with patients' questions and simple tasks

AI robots could soon be taking some of the burden off exhausted nurses by dealing with patients' questions and performing simple tasks. Following a successful hospital trial, it was found that the androids were able to'smoothly' answer queries relating to the length of time until the doctor would be free and other subjects. The machines were also able to engage in'general chit-chat' with patients - as well as offering quizzes, riddles and even calming breathing exercises. Crucially, they were found to be able to keep up with conversations involving several nurses and patients simultaneously. The UK's National Robortarium - based at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh - played a pivotal role in the 7m EU-funded'Socially Assistive Robots in Gerontological healthcare' project.