What if robots could help us feel calmer, more focused, or more connected? According to neuroscientist Dr. Julie Robillard, that future may already be taking shape.
Dr. Robillard is an Associate Professor in the Division of Neurology at the UBC Department of Medicine and a Scientist in Patient Experience at BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital. She leads the Neuroscience Engagement and Smart Tech (NEST) Lab at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, where her team explores how social technologies can support brain health throughout our lives.
Unlike a neurologist, who is a medical doctor, Dr. Robillard’s background is in neuroscience research. Her lab investigates how people, particularly those with neurological conditions, engage with social technologies like companion robots or health-related interactions on social media. Her goal is to better understand the emotional and ethical dimensions of these technologies.
“We ask questions like: What can these technologies do for us? What are the risks and the benefits? And how do we design them in ways that align with our emotional needs and values?”
What Have We Learned from Human-Robot Interactions?
Dr. Robillard’s research has shown that people are generally open to engaging with social robots, and not only that, they see potential for these tools to bring comfort, structure, and even fun into daily life.
“In studies with children who experience anxiety, for example, robots are often seen as helpful for relaxation exercises or daily goal setting,” she explains. “For older adults living with dementia, people are drawn to applications that offer distraction, comfort, or memory support.”
Her lab has found that people especially appreciate robots that “listen”, in other words, devices that foster a sense of responsive, respectful interaction. Preferences vary widely, with some individuals drawn to touch and physical comfort, while others prefer verbal exchanges, games, or testing the robot’s abilities.
Do Robots Undermine Human Connection?
This is a common concern but one Dr. Robillard’s research does not support.
“Quite the opposite,” she says. “People enjoy using robots with others. In fact, robots often become conversation starters. They get nicknames, people laugh, they share the experience. We’ve found that robots tend to enhance, rather than replace, human connection.”
Can Robots Improve Mental and Cognitive Health?
The research is still emerging, and studies vary in terms of robot type, user group, and measured outcomes. But Dr. Robillard’s findings suggest that robotic companions, particularly pet-like ones, can act as calming presences and support emotional regulation.
Looking ahead, social robots are being designed with increasingly sophisticated tools: language processing, image recognition, and health-promoting applications like medication reminders, movement tracking, and even social engagement monitoring.
“There’s a lot of potential,” Dr. Robillard says. “And we need to make sure we’re developing these technologies in ethical, thoughtful ways that respect individual differences and promote meaningful interaction.”
Her work at the NEST Lab continues to push those questions forward, at the intersection of neuroscience, ethics, and the future of smart care.