University students to build robots to accompany hospitalized children
Tecnun-School of Engineering of the University of Navarra and ThePinkForce Foundation have signed a partnership agreement to contribute to the creation of replicas of the R2-KT robot for children with cancer and support associations.
10 | 02 | 2025
Students of Tecnun-School of Engineering of the University of Navarra will manufacture robots that will accompany hospitalized children. The School and ThePinkForce Foundation have signed a partnership agreement to contribute to the creation of replicas of the R2-KT robot to visit children with cancer and support associations. The University of Navarra thus becomes the first university to join "ThePinkForce factory: building robots", one of the projects carried out by the non-profit organization ThePinkForce Foundation. According to its president, Andoni Serrano, "the incorporation of Tecnun to the PinkForce Factory, applying the knowledge of its professors and students, can ensure that the hospital accompaniment provided by our R2-KT units enters a new phase, where visits to children hospitalized with cancer become truly unforgettable moments".
The students will build life-size replicas of the R2-KT robot, which will be delivered to the Foundation to be used exclusively for hospital escort visits.
"In this project, we will work with students from different Tecnun Engineering Degrees to create a robot completely from scratch. We will use 3D printing techniques to manufacture its parts and we will implement state-of-the-art electronics and communication systems. This robot will be an improved version of the original R2-KT model , incorporating innovations such as an autonomous navigation system that will allow it to move intelligently through places like hospital corridors, which could have a great social impact," says Sebastian Gutierrez, professor of robotics and control and in charge of the project.
Through initiatives such as the visits of its robot R2-KT, the Foundation seeks to create magical moments that lift the spirits of children, offering emotional support, joy and companionship during their hospital stay, especially those affected by serious illnesses such as childhood cancer.
This Saturday, February 15, R2-KT will visit patients admitted to the Clínica Universidad de Navarra, thanks to the partnership of ThePinkForce Foundation and the Spanishassociation Against Cancer in Navarra.
"The most motivating thing for the students is the opportunity to expand the robot's functionalities, proposing and developing new ideas, always respecting the essence of the Star Wars universe that inspires the project". In this way, students will not only be able to explore new technologies and creative solutions, but also gain internship experience in various areas of engineering.
"The goal is to achieve a perfect combination of technology, creativity and social impact, offering students an enriching experience that adapts to each of their Degrees and allows them to grow both professionally and personally," says Gutiérrez.
In the future, Tecnun, the School of Engineering, will contact companies in the sector so that they can collaborate with students in this project.
