"Bibbidi Bobbidi Bots" can help older adults live independently

Naira Hovakimyan has a bold prediction. “I’m convinced that within 20 years drones will be today’s cellphones,” she said in a recent article in The New York Times.

The roboticist is an ECE affiliate faculty member and Mechanical Science and Engineering professor, part of the Intelligent Robotics Lab (IRL) housed at the Coordinated Science Laboratory (CSL). Her research was prominently featured in the article “As Aging Population Grows, So Do Robotic Health Aides” by John Markoff.

Hoyakimyan believes that within a decade or two, small, autonomous drones will be a safe, everyday solutions to help elders perform simple household chores, allowing older adults to more independently. She received a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to explore the idea.

Interacting with a robot can be intimidating, even a small drone. That’s why Dr. Hoyakimyan refers to her drones as “Bibbidi Bobbidi Bots,” borrowing a phrase from “Cinderella.” Her research is just one example of many approaches being studied to use technology to help older adults. Learn more in the original article.