Masters Showcase 2024 Student Spotlight - Franklin Ndubuisi Uka
Student Spotlight featuring MSc Design: Products and Technology student, Franklin Ndubuisi Uka and his project, 'RemBot'.
By Antonio Cuyas | Published on 1 August 2024
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
RemBot by Franklin Uka
Imagine a robot that feels as familiar as an old friend, reminding you of favourite songs and cherished memories. This is the vision behind RemBot, a conversational robot designed to support ageing and dementia care.
The Project
RemBot features a warm, inviting design with a vintage radio aesthetic, utilizing black walnut wood to evoke feelings of nostalgia and comfort for older adults. Leveraging advanced AI and natural language processing, the robot provides personalized assistance, mental health support, companionship, and cognitive stimulation.
Through meaningful conversations, daily chats, and reminiscing activities like viewing old photos or playing classical music, RemBot engages users in a way that promotes mental well-being. Additionally, a caregiver app allows families to monitor loved ones through noise detection and update the robot's media content remotely. Ultimately, RemBot aims to enhance user engagement and support independent, healthy aging at home.
The Inspiration Behind the Project
Research into ways to improve care for older adults led me to identify familiarity and comfort as key features for a viable solution. Observations showed that older generations find solace in items reminiscent of their past. Choosing walnut wood and a vintage radio aesthetic evokes nostalgia and comfort, targeting users aged 50 and above.
Old radios, with their tactile knobs, warm wood finishes, and familiar sounds, hold a special place in the hearts of many seniors. Incorporating these elements, RemBot features tactile controls and a warm, inviting design, making it both aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. Integrating modern technology into a retro design without compromising either aspect was challenging. Innovative engineering solutions ensured that advanced AI functionalities seamlessly fit within the vintage-inspired casing.
Being Part of NTU
Franklin's time at NTU has been both challenging and enjoyable, providing him with the knowledge and skills needed to bring RemBot to life. Despite the difficulties of exploring new areas like electrical engineering and Python programming for AI, the support from tutors and access to state-of-the-art facilities have been instrumental in his learning and development. The hands-on experience and guidance from workshop technicians have been invaluable in shaping his project and preparing him for a career in this innovative field.
Closing Remarks
Working on RemBot has significantly enhanced Franklin's technical and creative skills. NTU's hands-on approach has allowed him to materialize his concepts and freely explore ideas. This project not only represents a step forward in socially assistive robotics but also highlights the importance of combining technological innovation with empathetic design. Franklin looks forward to designing and building more products that help society.
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