The Montpellier Cancer Institute (ICM) and the company Enchanted Tools, in partnership with the SIRIC Montpellier Cancer, are announcing the official launch of a pioneering project at the second MedVallée conference organised by Montpellier Mediterranean Metropole: the integration of the humanoid robot Miroki into the ICM's paediatric radiotherapy department.
A world first
This project, a world first, aims to accompany young patients throughout their radiotherapy treatment by providing them with essential emotional support, with the aim of improving the quality of their treatment.
A companion robot to transform children's lives
Developed by Enchanted Tools, Mirokaï robots are designed to be interactive companions with a warm and caring personality. With the support and coordination of the paediatric team in the ICM's radiotherapy department, these robots will provide a familiar and comforting presence for children throughout their treatment - before they come in, during consultations and, eventually, during their radiotherapy sessions, when no human presence is possible. By reducing anxiety and creating a soothing environment, Mirokai will help to make the experience of treatment more positive and less frightening for young patients, their families and carers too.
I initiated the project because of an observation that we radiotherapy doctors make on a daily basis with sick children: loneliness, fear and anxiety are inextricably linked to treatment sessions. Technology is opening up new perspectives. With Miroki, children will never again feel alone in the radiotherapy room. Dr Julien Welmant - paediatric radiotherapist at the ICM
What if technology were to become an essential companion at the most difficult of times? With Enchanted Tools and our Mirokaï character robots, we want to innovate to help provide support to brave children fighting cancer, particularly during radiotherapy sessions, which are often trying. Our partnership with the ICM represents a real step towards a new era of human support in a medical environment. We are deeply honoured by the trust placed in us to bring a touch of magic to the daily lives of these children. Jérôme Monceaux - CEO of Enchanted Tools
Optimization and evaluation to define a new standard
The arrival of the Miroki prototype marks the start of the development and optimisation phase for this companion robot. As part of the SIRIC Montpellier Cancer project, with the participation of the Institut of Electronics and Systems and the Montpellier Computer Science, Robotics and Microelectronics Laboratory, this project will be scientifically evaluated with the aim of defining, within five years, a new standard for the care of children undergoing radiotherapy.
The robot project will accompany children throughout their radiotherapy treatment. We need to assess the impact of Miroki's presence in the radiotherapy oncology department at every level. This will be done both in terms of changes in human behaviour and the interaction of radiation on the robot. Several levels of research will be essential before it can be used in daily practice. It is thanks to the Montpellier Cancer SIRIC consortium that this research can be carried out. Pr David Azria - Director of the SIRIC Montpellier Cancer
A project made possible by generosity
This innovative project has been made possible by the exceptional commitment of Sandrine Moustardier - supported by Laeticia Hallyday and her association ‘La Bonne Etoile’ - whose fundraising efforts have brought together hundreds of donors in the Herault Mediterranean agglomeration and raised the money needed to purchase the prototype robot. A fundraising campaign is now underway to cover the costs of the research work and enable the current service to be transformed to create an interactive world surrounding the presence of the robot.
Implementing the cancerology of tomorrow
This innovative project is fully in line with the MedVallée dynamic of the Montpellier metropolitan area 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 people, and Miroki must become its flagship! Pr Marc Ychou - Chief Executive Officer of the ICM