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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Hallie Golden

A robot programmed to act like a 7-year-old girl works to combat fear and loneliness in hospitals

Therapeutic Hospital Robot Robin - (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Days after Meagan Brazil-Sheehan’s 6-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia, they were walking down the halls of UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center when they ran into Robin the Robot.

“Luca, how are you?” it asked in a high-pitched voice programmed to sound like a 7-year-old girl. "It’s been awhile.”

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