Meet the robot looking after Vera, 74, in her own home

Vera Gadsdon, 74, is one of the residents at a retirement housing complex in Lewisham.

She has a carer, Pinar Elmaz, and a helper called Robert.

Robert reminds her when to take her medication, to do her washing and even gives her knitting tips.

Robert is a robot, just one of those that is now providing company and medical assistance in care homes. Some say the droids are cutting costs and freeing up staff.

But, having met Vera and Robert, I can't help wondering: if she could choose, would Vera prefer to speak to a robot or a relative?

Pinar says the droids, made by tech healthcare company Cera, are not a replacement for human carers but "another tool for us as well because we can always check in on them... make sure they've taken their medication and then make sure they've hydrated".

Hazelhurst Court has 24 residents with robots and they certainly seem to enjoy their new companions.

Each one contains their person's medical needs and individual calendar and is programmed to tell users when it's time to eat or play bingo or watch their favourite television show.

Some residents say the robots make them feel less lonely, while others say they use them to connect with their grandchildren.

During our visit, Robert - who is programmed to be friendly -repeatedly asked Vera how she was, reassuring her "I'll be here if you need me".

"What would you enjoy chatting about today?" it asks.

But it does make mistakes when Vera wants to talk about knitting, often mishearing essential words and offering conversations on "biscuits and cakes" and "music, television, the garden or something else".

Tech expert James Erskine says when it comes to such robots, what needs to be considered is what they can do well and what they cannot.

"If a job can be followed to the letter like an instruction, a robot or computer can probably do it. If it needs problem-solving, judgement or emotional understanding, it needs a human," he says.

"AI is already helping surgeons during brain tumour operations, and driverless taxis being trialled on London's roads.

"In care, robots could be brilliant at monitoring health - vital signs, medication reminders, spotting falls. But can they really read someone's mental state, their happiness, their overall wellbeing?

"That depends on human connection, noticing the small things, knowing the person. So it's support, not substitute.

"The best outcome is tech taking on the routine tasks so carers have more time for the human side of care."

At least 1,000 people across England are using the robots, according to Cera.

Dr Ben Maruthappu, a former A&E doctor in London, is Cera's founder and chief executive. He says his personal experience of social care in the capital inspired him to look for solutions in tech.

"My mother had a fall and fractured her back and needed care at home so I needed to try and organise that care," he says. "What I thought would be a really simple process was actually excruciatingly difficult.

"I called lots of different home care agencies. We had this revolving door of carers looking after my mum, and I didn't even know their name - let alone how the care was going.

"How is it in this day and age, when I can get books and groceries delivered to my door at the click of a button, I have no idea the care my mum is receiving which is so much more important?"

He added he was motivated to build a better model of care where "technology addressed some of the issues and frictions in the care sector".

Now with 13,500 staff and almost £500m in annual revenue, Cera says it is Europe's largest health tech firm.

The company claims its AI tools reduce hospital admissions by up to 70% and its robots boost care teams' capacity by 20% and productivity by up to 80%.

Whether the needs being met include the human need for connection remains to be seen.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]