In Canada alone, the number of people living with dementia, or similar cognitive impairment, stands at 747,000. By 2038, it’s projected that number will rise to a staggering 5.5 million.

As there’s yet to be a cure for dementia, those living with the impairment require personalized care. However, the number of qualified healthcare professionals is not expected to meet the growing demand.

Enter Professor Goldie Nejat (MIE), who’s developing intelligent, assistive robots. Her current prototype, ‘Brian,’ provides cognitive and social stimulation in order to help reduce the decline of, or improve, brain functioning through interaction.

U of T News recently profiled Professor Nejat, who showcased the benefits and abilities of ‘Brian’: