Smart Elderly Care Robot

Abstract

This paper describes the implementation of a low cost service robot to help the elderly to improve their quality of life. It includes different technologies such as Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM), Open Source Computer Vision Library (OpenCV) and ChatterBot (a machine learning, conversational dialog engine for creating chat bots) to develop intelligence for autonomous control of the robot itself and easy-to-use interfaces for the elderly. The robot equipped with a 2D low cost laser sensor and SLAM technology would be able to build a map in an unknown area and navigate the mapped area after mapping. The ChatterBot provides the learning and conversational dialog engine which provides user-friendly interaction and feedbacks as a robotic companion to the elderly. The OpenCV is mainly used to perform the face detection, face tracking and motion detection tasks. A mobile application software (App) with streaming service is also developed to allow elderly's close relatives to monitor the health status and condition of the elderly.