Robot 'Alter Ego' helps care for patients in Italian hospital

A robot with expressive eyebrows that is designed to perform basic tasks to free up healthcare workers is being given a trial run by a hospital in Milan. Named "Alter-Ego", the 1.2-metre tall robot can stand in for a doctor working remotely, bring a patient a bottle of water or guide them to treatment.

The robot has been undergoing testing since April in a department which treats people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disease. The project is a collaboration between the Italian Institute of Technology and the University of Pisa in northern Italy and is currently being remotely controlled by an operator. From July, the robot will work autonomously.