At the invitation of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, the Palace of Science and the company Ovio Care, Nataša Todorović, Expert Associate of the Red Cross of Serbia, participated in the panel discussion held as part of the event “From Idea to Impact – Humane Technologies, Regulation, Investments and Startup Pitch.”

The participation of the Red Cross of Serbia in this event was carried out within the project “Innovative Services in the Local Community,” aimed at improving the quality of life of older persons and developing modern, accessible and humane models of community-based support.

The event brought together experts in the fields of technology, social protection, investments and innovation, with the goal of opening a dialogue on the role of new technologies in improving the quality of life of vulnerable groups, especially older persons.

In her presentation, Nataša Todorović spoke about the potential, as well as the limitations, of the use of robotics and digital technologies in the care of older persons, emphasizing that technology should be a support to people, not their replacement.

She particularly highlighted the following:

• the importance of assistive robots in the field of mobility and safety of older persons,
• the role of social robots in preventing loneliness and social isolation,
• the importance of ethical principles and the protection of dignity and users’ rights.

During the discussion, it was emphasized that technology can help reduce the burden on professionals and increase the availability of services, especially in the context of workforce shortages, but that empathy, direct human contact and human care remain irreplaceable elements of quality care.

By participating in this panel, the Red Cross of Serbia reaffirmed its commitment to developing innovative, responsible and accessible solutions in the field of support for older persons and other vulnerable groups in the community.