JustoCat - robotic therapy cat for people with dementia and intellectual disabilities
JustoCat, which is now being launched on the European market, is a robotic therapy cat developed and scientifically evaluated in cooperation between robotics researchers and health care researchers at Mälardalen University in Sweden. JustoCat has been developed and tested in consultation with patients / users and professional caregivers in Swedish dementia care. The product innovators have assumed that many people have memories of spending time with cats and linked this to the reminiscence method – to use memories from the past
The functions of JustoCat makes it resemble a live cat. It breathes, purrs and meows. One advantage with the cat's fur is that it is washable and above all is removable and thus can meet hygiene requirements in an institution. JustoCat can provide peace, be soothing and be a tool for increased interaction and communication. It is a complement in the care of people with dementia and in the care of people with intellectual disabilities. Tests and research demonstrates positive results from the users, as well as patients / clients and care-givers.
- The goal of JustoCat is to enrich the daily lives of people with dementia. It can provide increased psychological, physical and social well-being, says Lars Asplund, creator of JustoCat. A preliminary study made by the researcher Marcus Persson at Mälardalen University also shows the positive impact of the psychosocial work environment for health care personnel. JustoCat is now available on the European market, both for sale and through leasing, via the company Robyn Robotics AB operated by the two innovators / researchers at Mälardalen University, Lars Asplund and Christine Gustafsson. Several units have already been sold to a number of health and social care operators in Sweden and Europe.
Robotdalen has participated in and contributed to the development of JustoCat.
- JustoCat is a product that provides an improved quality of life, which is the core of Robotdalen’s focus on new technical solutions within the field of health robotics, says Erik Lundqvist, General Manager at Robotdalen.
For further information, please contact Erik Lundqvist, General Manager at Robotdalen, email erik.lundqvist@robotdalen.se or phone +46 (0)21 10 70 26 or Lars Asplund, CEO at Robyn Robotics, email lars.asplund@robynrobotics.se or phone +46 (0)705 41 46 68.
Robotdalen is a Swedish robotics initiative with the mission to enable commercial success of new ideas and research within robotics and automation; focusing on solutions for the industry, service and healthcare sector. Robotdalen is financed by VINNOVA (the Swedish Innovation Agency), the European Regional Development Fund and a number of public institutions, universities and companies in Central Sweden. Please visit www.robotdalen.se/en for further information.
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