Robots keeping elderly Belgians connected with loved ones during coronavirus

The company, Zorabots, said it would initially lend 60 of its 'James' robots to the care homes, but could make hundreds more available if required. According to the robotics firm, the 12m-tall butler-style machines can navigate rooms and connect video calls through Facebook Messenger.

Belgium's government has banned visitors from elderly care homes, alongside measures including limiting shop opening times and closing schools to curb the spread of Covid-19, which has infected over 1,000 people in the country and has killed five.

"We said, in the coming weeks we will not be able to sell, the stock is just going to sit here. Instead of letting the stock sit here, why not put it to use in a good way?" said Tommy Deblieck, Zorabots' co-CEO.

Nele Vandewiele, director of residential care for the Ostend city government, added that the robots could help residents who were missing contact with the outside world and their families.

ZoraBots is an interactive and caring platform solution which runs on the world's most popular humanoid robots, notably Pepper the robot which is often used in the education sector as well as in healthcare. "ZoraBots makes friendly, intelligent companions with just one goal: making your life better – more comfortable, fun, healthier and relaxed," the firm says on its website.

The company is offering its 'James' robots to elderly care facilities across Belgium in order to help maintain normal social intercourse during the coronavirus outbreak, as the virus continues to spread across the globe and isolation of large swathes of the population becomes necessary.