Pepper and Miro charm the crowds at NHS 70th Birthday Celebrations

Teaching Pepper how to dab!

The CATCH team proved a hit at the NHS 70^th Birthday celebrations at Sheffield Cathedral – thanks to the robotic charms of Pepper and Miro.

The assistive healthcare robots, which are at the cutting-edge of research into aiding communication for older people and people with disabilities, were part of a special day full of hands-on activities, demonstrations and exhibitions that marked 70 years since the creation of the NHS. Our humanoid robot Pepper even gave an interview to BBC Radio Sheffield!

CATCH also demonstrated the innovative VocaTempo app. The app, developed with technology company Therapy Box and Barnsley Hospital, gives a voice to people who have severe speech impairments and is the world’s first voice assisted communication aid. The newly launched assistive technology switch, Emego, for people with severe brain injuries, was also on display.

Blessed with sunny weather and big crowds, the event brought together staff from Sheffield’s NHS, including Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group, Primary Care Sheffield, Yorkshire Ambulance Service as well as researchers from the University of Sheffield.