AI Robot 'Shany' Offers Emotional Support to Hospitalized Children in Peru

In a pioneering initiative to enhance emotional care for hospitalized children, Peru's EsSalud has deployed an artificial intelligence robot named Shany. This interactive robot is now a companion for young patients in the Oncology and Pediatric Hematology wards at the National Edgardo Rebagliati Martins Hospital in Lima.

Shany is designed to offer emotional support, engaging children through conversational AI, social robotics, and audiovisual resources. The robot can hold natural conversations within a supervised environment, aiming to alleviate the anxiety and depression often associated with prolonged hospital stays. The project is a collaborative effort, bringing together medical professionals, engineers, psychologists, and researchers from EsSalud's Institute for the Evaluation of Health Technologies and Research (IETSI) and the hospital's specialized departments.

The development of Shany was a meticulous process, adhering to scientific, ethical, and regulatory standards. It represents a fusion of technological innovation and human-centered healthcare, with the goal of improving the overall hospital experience for pediatric patients. EsSalud registered the intellectual property for Shany in 2025, and its implementation began in July 2026 as part of a pilot program to strengthen humanized care.

This innovative approach underscores a growing trend in healthcare to integrate technology not just for treatment, but also for the psychological well-being of patients. By providing a novel form of interaction and companionship, Shany seeks to make the challenging journey of hospitalization a little less daunting for children in Peru.