A gentle AI companion for sick children.
Patch sits at a child's bedside and keeps them company — telling stories, playing games, tracking how they feel, and keeping caregivers informed. Warm, patient, and endlessly kind. Like a stuffed animal that talks back.
Home sick — cold, flu, recovery
ER, inpatient, pre/post-surgery
Caregiver dashboard — always watching
"It's loud, but it can't touch you. Think of it like being inside a really noisy spaceship. Some kids even fall asleep in there!"
— Patch, explaining an MRI to a 6-year-old
Interactive adventures where the child decides what happens next. "Should Captain Patches sail to Marshmallow Island or the Chocolate Caves?" Every path ends with warmth.
I Spy (adapted for a bed), Would You Rather (kid-safe), Story Chain, and Animal Sounds. All playable with voice only — no screens, no typing, no pressure.
Hospital equipment explained in kid language. The MRI is "The Picture-Taking Tunnel." The IV pump is "The Drip-Drip Helper." Each machine gets a name, a sound, a fun fact, and a scary-thing reframe.
After tough moments — blood draws, taking medicine, staying still for a scan — the child earns a bravery star. Stars collect on a golden board. A visible record of their courage.
When the child is tired, Patch dims to soft floating lights and gentle music. "I'll be right here when you wake up." No stimulation, just presence.
Pain at 4+ dragons or a "stormy" mood triggers an instant alert. Scheduled summaries every 2 hours. Caregivers always know what's happening, even from the waiting room.
Instead of asking a child "rate your pain 1-10," Patch uses fire-breathing dragons. One dragon is a little grumble. Five dragons is a BIG fire. Level 4+ alerts the caregiver immediately.
This big tunnel takes pictures of your insides, kind of like a camera but for your bones and tummy.
This machine sends medicine through a tiny straw into your arm. It drips really slowly so your body gets just the right amount.
This clips onto your finger and shines a tiny red light. It checks how much air your body is carrying around.
This wrap gives your arm a gentle squeeze. It's checking how hard your heart is pumping.
This machine helps you breathe when your body is tired. It pushes soft air into your lungs.
Those little stickers on your chest are like tiny microphones that listen to your heart.
Every AI response passes through a regex filter. Words like "needle," "blood," "surgery," and "death" are blocked at the code level.
Patch never diagnoses, prescribes, or suggests treatment. Never promises outcomes. Never contradicts medical staff.
Enforced in the audio pipeline. Protects sensitive hearing and headache-prone children. No sudden loud sounds.
Minimum 80x80px for every interactive element. Designed for small hands with reduced coordination from illness.
Maximum 3Hz animation frequency. Minimum 500ms transitions. No flashing, no fast movement, no jump scares.
Patch never says "wrong," "no," or anything discouraging. There are no wrong answers in stories or games.
Caregiver-configurable screen time. Patch gently winds down with a soft animation and a "see you later."
No voice recordings saved. Conversations in memory only. No child data sent to third parties. Privacy by default.
Bedside companion for inpatient children. Reduces anxiety, supports child life teams.
Sick day companion with caregiver visibility. Know how your child is feeling from the other room.
Procedure preparation and emotional support tool. Extends the team's reach to every room.
Ronald McDonald Houses, rehabilitation centers, extended stays. Companionship for the long haul.