Robot Puts Smiles On Faces Of Children's Hospital Patients

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A special high-tech visitor stopped by Children's Hospital today and the patients and their families were all smiles.

Its name is Hannabot and it likes to dance.

At 6-feet tall, the robot towers above most of the young patients at Children's Hospital.

"Well, first he said, 'Where's Nathan?' and I was trying to hide from him because I was scared for a second," Nathan McSwiggen said.

Although a lot of the kids were a little shy and intimidated at first, they quickly warmed up.

"I was dancing and I gave him a hug in the back and I had a ride on him," McSwiggen said.

There was plenty of dancing and hugs happening on the third floor.

Children, waiting for appointments, had the chance to forget about doctors and treatments and have some fun.

"Definitely entertaining. He's dancing around with a robot. Thats always a great thing to see," Kevin McSwiggen said.

"This is so much fun. It's just so much uplifting for them, they're down here to get fixed, but there's so many things around them to keep smiles on their face and I think that's a good thing when it comes to the kids," Annalisa Pryor said.

The robot travels all over, visiting various hospitals.

"The way that a pet is friendly to a child, the robot can be their, you know, sidekick and be friendly and warm and say look, I'm big and strong and metal and I'll be here to help you," robot operator Preston Simpson said. "It's just emotions and I think anybody who has a heart will see that you're doing something good for someone and that's what this life is all about.

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