The intersection of healthcare and artificial intelligence is taking a compassionate turn as Honda deploys an AI-powered robot to support young cancer patients during their treatment journey.
Program Overview: Honda’s Research Institute Japan has developed Haru, an AI-driven “social bot” that is helping children undergoing cancer treatment at Spain’s Virgen del Rocio hospital.
- The program began trials in 2021 and has proven so successful that the hospital is expanding its deployment with 10 additional units through 2027
- Haru stands 11 inches tall and resembles a desktop companion with two small screens that serve as “eyes” and LED lights forming a “mouth”
- The robot connects patients with their schools online, enabling them to maintain social connections and continue their education during treatment
Technical Capabilities: Haru employs sophisticated AI and sensing technologies to provide personalized emotional support to young patients.
- The robot uses built-in cameras and microphones to analyze facial expressions and voice tones, helping it understand patients’ emotional states
- An optional wearable wristband provides additional data about the patient’s condition
- Based on its analysis, Haru responds with empathetic expressions and supportive language tailored to each child’s needs
Healthcare Impact: The implementation of Haru has shown significant potential for improving both emotional support and clinical assessment capabilities.
- Neuropsychologists at the hospital can now conduct more frequent emotional and cognitive assessments, potentially increasing annual evaluations from 510 to 4,500
- Hospital staff report that Haru provides psychological benefits by improving patients’ moods during treatment
- The technology represents a shift from purely medical applications to addressing the emotional well-being of patients
Future Implications: Honda’s development of Haru demonstrates how AI and robotics can be integrated into healthcare settings to provide both practical and emotional support.
- Honda’s research team continues to refine Haru’s capabilities, working toward 24/7 assistance for patients and hospital staff
- The success of this program could pave the way for similar AI-powered emotional support systems in other healthcare settings
- This application shows how AI can complement, rather than replace, human care in sensitive medical environments
Long-term Potential: While the immediate benefits of Haru are evident in pediatric oncology, this implementation may represent just the beginning of AI-powered emotional support systems in healthcare, particularly in situations requiring extended hospital stays or chronic condition management.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...