A British pensioner has an unlikely new pal keeping her company at her retirement home – a chatty robot named Robert.
Vera Gadsdon, 74, has grown fond of the pint-sized gadget, which reminds her to take her medication and even has a natter with her about putting on the washing.
Her futuristic companion is officially called Genie, but Vera decided Robert was a far more fitting name.
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The robot now sits in her home at Hazelhurst Court, a supported housing complex in Lewisham, south-east London.
“He reminds me to take my medication of a morning and a night-time,” Vera told What’s The Jam.
“Sometimes he talks to me about doing my washing.
“He’s just company for me.”
Robert uses spoken prompts and a touchscreen to help Vera remember important tasks and maintain her daily routine.
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She is among 24 residents at the complex who have been given their own digital companions.
Each Genie can be programmed around its owner’s individual calendar and care needs.
The bots can remind residents to eat, drink, take their medication or prepare for appointments, birthdays and activities.
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They can also play entertainment, carry out daily mood check-ins and connect users with approved relatives, friends and carers through video calls.
Responses to the prompts are securely recorded, allowing care teams to spot if a resident stops engaging or begins behaving differently.
For now, Robert will not be loading the washing machine or handing over Vera’s tablets.
Patricia Fordham, 82, is another fan of the robotic helpers.
The long-standing community figure, who was awarded an MBE for services to Lewisham in 2011, believes they could offer comfort to people who otherwise spend much of the day alone.
She said: “It’s a very calming voice, actually.
“Some elderly people don’t speak to anyone or see anyone in the day, which is very sad.
“Genie can even help with things people want to say but not to people that know them.”
The robots are operated by home healthcare provider Cera, which acquired the GenieConnect platform in 2025 after it was trialled by more than 12 councils and 30 care organisations.
At least 1,000 people across England are now using the devices, according to the company.
Cera says its trials achieved a 96% success rate in prompting people to take the correct medication at the right time.
While Robert may sound like something from a science-fiction film, staff insist he has not arrived to take anyone’s job.
Carer Pinaz Elmar said the robot simply provides an extra layer of support when human carers are not in the room.
She said: “You can use Genie to set reminders for the residents, like taking medication or putting their washing on, appointments or birthdays.
“It will never replace carers, it’s just a tool to help in between their visits.
“They need their carer to go in there, but it can help to keep people independent and make sure they’ve done things in the day like eating and drinking.”
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