A robot created by Washington State University scientists could help elderly people with dementia and other limitations live independently in their own homes.

The Robot Activity Support System, or RAS, uses sensors embedded in a computer programmed ‘smart home’ to determine where its residents are, what they are doing and when they need assistance with daily activities. When the smart home sensors detect a human failure to initiate or struggling with one of the tasks, RAS receives a message to help. 

The robot then uses its mapping and navigation camera, sensors and software to find the person and offer assistance. It navigates through rooms and around obstacles to find people on its own, provides video instructions on how to do simple tasks and can even lead its owner to objects like their medication or a snack in the kitchen.

RAS combines the convenience of a mobile robot with the activity detection technology of a smart home.