It’s a world first: Miroki, the humanoid robot companion for children with cancer, arrives at the ICM in Montpellier

He made his first official outing in Montpellier, this Tuesday, October 15, at the end of the day, at the MédVallée conference, the center of excellence supported by the Metropolis which combines health, food and environment around infrastructure, teams, and innovative projects.

Miroki, a humanoid robot capable of interacting with humans thanks to an artificial intelligence program, will join his new home this Wednesday, October 16, the ICM Val d’Aurelle in Montpellier, where he will accompany the children in the training sessions. radiotherapy is a world first.

The project was made possible thanks to the mobilization of the association “Plus fort la vie”, of Hérault resident Sandrine Moustardier, supported by the association “La bonne star” of Laeticia Halliday.

Miroki was created by the company “Enchanted tools”, a French start-up created in 2021 and “specialized in humanoid robotics”, its machines are capable of interacting with humans with the help of artificial intelligence.

Distressing treatments for children

“This project, a world first, aims to support young patients throughout their radiotherapy care journey by providing them with essential emotional support with the aim of improving the quality of their treatment”specifies the ICM.

These treatments are particularly distressing for children, who follow the sessions without any possibility of support. “With Miroki, we will allow the child to never again feel alone in the radiotherapy room,” welcomes Dr Julien Welmant, radiotherapist specializing in pediatrics at the ICM.

For Marc Ychou, director of the ICM, “this innovative project is fully in line with the MedVallée dynamic of the Montpellier Metropolis and reflects our desire to implement tomorrow’s oncology today. We firmly believe in the development of technology as a tool in the service of humans, including Miroki must become the standard”.