A humanoid robot may be suitable for clearly defined, non-medical tasks such as reading aloud, guided activities or greeting visitors, provided staff oversee the process and step in when questions arise or support is needed. Before running a pilot, check the robot’s actual capabilities, data flows and how it will fit into the team’s routine. You can only decide whether buying or a usage-based model is better suited to your plans by comparing like-for-like services and contract terms tailored to your care home.
You need to define a non-medical task, appoint the people responsible and decide how to assess the pilot. Among other things, OFFIS has explored reading aloud, singing and activities designed to encourage participation with Ameca in German care homes. This does not amount to a general recommendation to buy.
You need to check which camera, microphone, dialogue and remote access functions are actually enabled, and where the data goes. The guidance from the German Data Protection Conference covers the selection, implementation and use of AI applications as steps with data protection implications.
You need to oversee group activities or reception tasks, manage interruptions and hand questions over to a member of staff. If a technical system is intended to monitor employees’ behaviour or performance and there is a works council, its co-determination rights under § 87 Abs. 1 Nr. 6 BetrVG must be considered.
Start by defining a specific non-medical task. Then assess the robot’s capabilities, data processing and the staff support it will need. Compare buying with usage-based models only once the scope of the service and responsibilities for operating the robot are clearly set out in the offers.
| Area to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention |
|---|---|---|
| Data protection and data flows | Which sensors and dialogue services are active? Where do image, audio and log data go, and who can access them? | If our care home processes conversations or images, we need to know who is affected and what access is taking place. Around 29% of buyers say this is their top priority. |
| Team routines and training | Who starts and oversees the robot, takes over when questions arise and responds to problems? What training will staff receive? | During a group activity, our team wants to be able to interrupt the robot and take over at any time. Fitting the robot into the work routine is the top concern for around 29% of buyers. |
| Suitability of the functions | Ask for the planned tasks to be demonstrated in the intended space. Distinguish standard functions from optional features and planned upgrades. | If the robot is meant to read aloud or display information at reception, the people involved need to understand that specific task. Around 24% of buyers put suitability for the intended use first. |
| Operating model and service | Compare buying and usage-based offers on the same basis, including installation, maintenance, remote access, contract length and what happens when the contract ends. | Without an in-house robotics team, we need clear responsibilities for maintenance and problems, as well as a defined exit route. Around 18% of buyers say the operating model is their first question. |
For a pilot involving personal data, clarify the purpose, legal basis, recipients, storage periods and safeguards based on the actual configuration. The German Data Protection Conference describes its guidance as a guide to AI applications, not an exhaustive list of requirements. According to the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, a data protection impact assessment is required if the planned processing is likely to pose a high risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons.
On configurable platforms, applications can run locally, on a network or in the cloud. LuxAI documents different operating locations for QTrobot V3, along with camera services that can be accessed separately. The configuration you choose determines which data flows need to be checked.
For every planned task, record the active sensors, dialogue services, recipients, remote access and logs. Ask the supplier to show you how to disable any functions you do not need.
OFFIS reports on qualitative experiences with Ameca in German care homes. Its reports describe trials and ongoing research, but do not show that the robot can replace care tasks or personal attention.
Before a pilot, define the non-medical task you want to test and how you will assess whether it is easy to understand, how people take part, how interruptions are handled, and the time needed for supervision and follow-up.
Staff need clear responsibilities for operating the robot and dealing with problems. If there is a works council and the technical system is intended to monitor employees, its co-determination rights under § 87 Abs. 1 Nr. 6 BetrVG must be considered when the system is introduced and used.
Before agreeing to buy, clarify training, responsibility for maintenance, the data protection review and, where applicable, works council involvement. Also check who will be able to view communication or usage data.
A technical specification does not automatically describe the configuration on offer or the support available to a German care home. For example, the Pepper specification from SoftBank Robotics reviewed here comes from Japan.
Ask for a detailed service description for your intended use, covering functions, installation, training, maintenance, remote access and what happens when the contract ends. Only then can you make a meaningful comparison between buying and usage-based operation.
OFFIS has trialled Ameca for social interaction and activities designed to encourage participation in German care homes.
Pepper is an interactive platform with a display, microphones, cameras and movement functions.
QTrobot V3 is a programmable social robot platform that can run applications in several different locations.
There is no blanket data protection approval for this type of product. What matters is the specific purpose, the functions enabled, who is affected, the data flows, the legal basis and the safeguards in place. The German Data Protection Conference’s guidance can help you assess AI applications, but it does not replace an assessment of the planned use.
According to the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, one is required if the planned processing of personal data is likely to pose a high risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons. You need to assess whether that applies to the sensors, access and data flows involved in your planned setup.
If there is a works council and the planned system is intended to monitor employees’ behaviour or performance, the co-determination right under § 87 Abs. 1 Nr. 6 BetrVG applies. The Federal Labour Court has clarified that recording is not necessarily required for communication to be considered capable of being monitored. Whether robot functions such as teleoperation or logging fall within this provision depends on the specific use.
Yes. OFFIS documents trials with Ameca in several German care homes, including reading aloud, singing and activities designed to encourage participation. The reports describe qualitative reactions and ongoing research; they do not show that the robot can replace care staff or that every care home will benefit from using one.