A Glimpse into the Future at Newbury Manor

Residents and team members at Newbury Manor Care Home in Oldbury recently enjoyed a truly unique experience, as they welcomed a very special visitor, a humanoid robot named Ria.

Ria is one of only a handful of humanoid robots in the world, making her visit an exciting and memorable occasion for everyone at the home. Throughout the day, she spent time chatting with residents, answering questions, and sparking plenty of curiosity and conversation.

There was a real sense of excitement as residents engaged with Ria, asking thoughtful questions and enjoying the opportunity to interact with such innovative technology. Our team also joined in, putting Ria to the test with a range of questions, which she answered with ease in both English and Polish.

The visit offered a fascinating insight into how emerging technology could support life in care settings, particularly when it comes to encouraging communication, connection, and meaningful engagement.

Kam Kaur, home manager of Newbury Manor, shared:
"Innovation in social care is not about replacing people, it is about exploring how technology might enhance the lives of those we support. While human connection will always be at the heart of what we do, it was incredible to see how naturally Ria could engage in conversation and even reflect with residents on their own memories."

We would like to thank Machani Robotics for giving us the opportunity to experience this technology first hand and for offering a glimpse into what the future of care could look like.

At Newbury Manor, we are always looking for ways to enrich the lives of our residents. While nothing can replace the compassion and dedication of our care team, experiences like this show how innovation can complement traditional care by bringing new opportunities for interaction, learning, and enjoyment.