A New Zealand healthcare robot is poised to make waves internationally after winning over residents and staff at an Auckland retirement village.

Charlie, who checks blood pressure, plays music and tells jokes, was put to work at the Selwyn Retirement Village in November last year, as part of a three-month study carried out by the University of Auckland, and those on the receiving end of the robot's care were impressed.

The study's findings are being presented this week at a robotics
conference in Italy.