article_snippet: British academics have helped develop a robot, which is both a home help and a friend to older people who may be ill, trapped and alone.
article_snippet: The Care-O-bot 3 is much more like a utilitarian household appliance than the action figures that featured in the futuristic film iRobot, starring Will Smith.
article_snippet: 4ft tall robot is the result of a collaboration between British and European academics under the umbrella of Accompany - Acceptable Robotics Companions for Ageing Years.
article_snippet: The hope is that The hope will help older people to stay in older people homes and live an independent life, rather than being moved miles away from friends and family into an expensive care home.
article_snippet: It weighs 309lb (140kg) with extending legs that stop the 'bear' from falling over and it moves slowly and smoothly thanks to advance actuators in it mechanical arms.