Last summer semester, students at The Hochschule Niederrhein (HSNR) worked on programming and using their robot "Pepper" in the robotics lab.
"We brainstormed together with the project group and thought about how and where we could use the Pepper robot sensibly. We decided to use it in facilities with older people in order to use Pepper to strengthen and maintain the residents' mental and physical fitness," says Professor Dr. Markus Kleutges, who teaches "Technical Systems, Computer Science and Mathematics for Industrial Engineers" in the Faculty of Industrial Engineering.
The students then split into groups: The research group looked for a suitable facility to use the robot, the programming group took care of the technical modification and programming of Pepper and the information group investigated the various possible uses of the robot.
For the students, working on the robot has the advantage that they can apply the theoretical knowledge they have learned in lectures in practice. "By programming a human-like robot, we not only expanded our technical skills, but also gained valuable insights into the practical application of technologies in the social field. This experience has shown us how we can have a positive impact on people's lives through innovative solutions, which we particularly enjoyed," says student Mari Blessi Reunious, who is in her fifth semester of "Industrial Engineering".
The result is impressive: Pepper combines joy, fun and movement and promotes cognitive skills by talking, singing and performing movement exercises such as stretching silk, turning his head or "picking apples".
The interactive companion has now been able to present its skills for the first time at the Hanseanum senior citizens' residence in Krefeld, which was contacted by the students in advance. "The Hanseanum in Krefeld was immediately enthusiastic about the idea and this is how the successful collaboration came about, which will continue in the coming winter semester," explains Professor Dr. Kleutges.
In the Hanseanum's Garden Hall, Pepper began by welcoming the senior students in attendance. This was followed by two welcome songs, a sitting exercise and a farewell song, during which the senior citizens enthusiastically joined in. Afterwards, the senior citizens had the opportunity to give their feedback to the students who were also present. "The residents of the residence were delighted with Pepper and really appreciated the support it provided during the exercises," says student Goerkem Kavusan. In future, the robot will be used even more frequently and will carry out the exercises more regularly.
