Loughborough university
2024
CATSBY: Emotional companion cat
CATSBY is a sustainable emotional support companion cat. The aim for this project is to explore the capability of technology and Arduino together with up-cycled materials to mimic the human-cat interaction, aiding loneliness and anxiety commonly found among the elderly population.
Overview
Challenge
Before taking this module, I had minimal coding experience and exposure to electronics. I would lie if I said that the learning curve was not steep. However, at the same time, it felt enriching once I wrapped my head around how to use and code instructions for the various components.
Problem
The global ageing population presents a challenge with the increasing prevalence of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
Research & existing solutions
PARO - The Robotic Baby Seal is one of the most well-known interactive robots developed for the elderly. It has been proven to increase motivation, relieve depression, and reduce stress levels among users. Although very intuitive and user-friendly, PARO comes with a high price tag of £6,000 per seal.
Ideation
Designs
Lessons
