Meet 'Codey' the humanoid robot that hopes to tackle loneliness epidemic
STANFORD, Calif. (KGO) -- A humanoid robot designed to build connections with people was showcased Thursday at a technology conference at Stanford University.
The robot, named Codey, was developed by Mind Children and is designed as a social robot rather than a labor robot. Company leaders say its focus is on communication, learning and relationship-building.
Mind Children CEO Chris Kudla said the company began developing the technology several years ago with the goal of making humanoid robots more accessible.
"We started doing this about three years ago, and no one had really heard about humanoid robots at that point. Everything that we did was meant to make it more accessible, easy to approach," Kudla said.
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Unlike robots designed for factory work or other specific physical tasks, Codey was created to interact directly with people. The robot has a smaller frame and realistic facial features intended to make it appear approachable and comforting.
Codey described the distinction between social and labor robots this way: "Labor robots are built to do specific physical tasks. Social robots, like me, focus on communicating, helping people learn and building relationships."
The company envisions the robot being used in settings where personal interaction is important, including health care environments, elderly care facilities and schools.
Mind Children recently updated Codey with new capabilities, allowing the robot to play games such as hide-and-seek and Pictionary. Company leaders said those features could provide benefits in environments such as hospitals and care facilities.
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Kudla said the technology could also help people who live alone.
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"To help people who are living alone or aging in place in their own home, that this is one option that that will exist. That, I think, will be a good fit for a lot of people," he said.
Codey remains a prototype, but the company plans to expand its use beyond institutional settings.
"And that's one of our biggest goals, is to eventually get our robots from the care facilities into people's home and have that be a part of keeping people cognitively active and engaged," Kudla said.
At present, Codey is the only robot of its kind developed by the company. However, company officials said they hope to expand the technology and bring it into health care settings by 2027.
