Across Europe, ageing populations are putting increasing pressure on healthcare and social care systems. Spain is no exception. With longer life expectancy and declining birth rates, the country is facing a growing challenge: how to support millions of elderly people living alone.

Barcelona is testing one possible answer – social robots.

In a new pilot initiative, the city has begun deploying companion robots designed to assist seniors at home, helping them manage daily routines, stay connected with care professionals, and reduce loneliness.

A Robot Companion at Home

Barcelona resident Irene Veglison had not danced in more than 20 years.

That changed when a small robot named Sandi moved into her apartment.

The 1.35-meter-tall device arrived in November as part of a municipal programme aimed at supporting people in the early stages of cognitive decline. Since then, it has become part of Veglison’s daily routine.

Sandi reminds her to take medication each morning at 9 a.m., alerts her about doctor appointments, wakes her up in the morning, and wishes her goodnight in the evening.

And occasionally, it even dances with her.

Using the robot’s built-in screen, Veglison can browse entertainment apps like YouTube. One afternoon she selected a French chanson and swayed alongside Sandi, which tilted its screen and moved along with the music.

“It’s not just a gadget,” Veglison said. “There are people behind it looking out for you – checking if you’ve fallen or if you’re okay.”

A Citywide Pilot Program

Barcelona has already deployed around 600 robots in private homes and care facilities as part of the pilot programme.

The initiative is supported by €3.8 million in funding from the European Union’s COVID-19 recovery programme, and is part of a broader strategy to modernize tele-assistance services.

“We are developing this pilot project to improve tele-assistance,” said Marta Villanueva Cendán, a councillor at Barcelona’s municipal council.

The goal is not simply companionship, but also safety and remote care.

Future versions of the system are expected to include features that can detect risks and alert professionals automatically.

“For example, the robot could detect if a person has fallen and cannot respond,” Villanueva explained.

Technology Behind the Robots

The robots used in the programme are manufactured by U.S. robotics company Misty Robotics and distributed in Europe by Catalan technology firm Grup Saltó.

Each device includes:

A touchscreen interface with entertainment apps
Calendar reminders and scheduling tools
Maps and navigation support
Customizable facial expressions displayed on screen
Video communication capabilities

The robots also include cameras that can be activated remotely by care professionals during emergencies. If a user presses the alert button, a social worker can immediately assess the situation and provide assistance.

A Growing Need for Care Innovation

The programme addresses a demographic challenge that many European countries are beginning to face.

According to official data, nearly two million people over the age of 65 live alone in Spain, and around three-quarters of them are women.

At the same time, the country’s long-term care sector is struggling with workforce shortages.

Research from Spanish think-tank Funcas suggests the country will need to double its long-term care workforce by 2030 to meet demand. Yet recruitment is difficult: salaries in the sector are roughly €10,000 below the national average, discouraging younger workers from entering the field. Today, more than half of care staff are already over 45.

Robots as a Complement, Not a Replacement

The Barcelona initiative highlights an emerging role for robotics and AI in healthcare: augmenting human care rather than replacing it.

These robots are not meant to substitute caregivers. Instead, they act as an additional layer of support – helping seniors maintain independence while ensuring professionals can intervene when needed.

For people like Veglison, that support also brings something less technical but equally important: companionship.

And sometimes, even the chance to dance again.

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