We’ve been working behind the scenes with a new volunteer to join our team of nearly 600 volunteers helping more than 2000 family members across Canada. A robot, specially programmed by an Ontario Tech University team at the Faculty of Business and IT to both entertain and educate sick kids.

Our robot was unveiled at a special gathering of media at the home of one of our Chai families. Ethan is seven-years-old and has been home-bound for the past year recovering from brain cancer. Together with his sister, Chloe, Ethan was the first to experience some of what the robot has to offer – from story-telling and joke-making, to math class and dancing lessons.

Chai Lifeline Canada’s plan is to follow the pilot launch with the rollout of a few more identical robots later in the year so that more children and families can benefit. Like our dedicated volunteers, the robot is intended is to help brighten the lives of seriously-ill children through visits to their bedsides in hospital and at home.

A robot, specially programmed by an Ontario Tech University team at the Faculty of Business and IT to both entertain and educate sick kids.

Like the hundreds of Chai Lifeline Canada volunteers, the robot is intended is to help brighten the lives of seriously-ill children through visits to their bedsides in hospital and at home.

Check out some of the initial media buzz about Zenbo:

READ:

“Toronto charity creates robot to entertain, educate kids who can’t go to school due to severe illnesses”  |  Globe and Mail, February 2, 2020

“Robot brings companionship to sick kids”  |  Canadian Jewish News, February 4, 2020

WATCH:

“Robot reachout for sick children”  | CTV News Toronto, February 2, 2020 (at 39 minutes)

“This Robot is a game-changer”  | CBC News, February 2, 2020n (at 15:22 minutes)

 

MORE PHOTOS: