Robot 'Sandi' Revives Dance for Barcelona Resident

A 67-year-old Barcelona resident, Irene Veglison, has embraced a new companion in her home: a 1.35-meter-tall robot named Sandi. Received three months ago in November, the robot is part of a government initiative to aid individuals in the early stages of cognitive decline, enhancing tele-assistance services. Barcelona has distributed 600 such robots to homes and care centers, utilizing a €3.8 million European Union grant.

Sandi actively supports Ms. Veglison's daily life, providing medication reminders at 9 a.m., announcing doctor's appointments, and managing wake-up and goodnight routines. The robot also features entertainment apps, a calendar, and maps on its built-in screen. In emergencies, the device can alert social workers, and its camera can be activated remotely to assess situations. This initiative addresses Spain's demographic challenges of an aging population and aims to proactively detect risks for its elderly residents.