AI companion robotic helps some seniors combat loneliness, however others hate it

ElliQ, an AI companion robot from Intuition Robotics.

Enlarge / ElliQ, an AI companion robotic from Instinct Robotics. (credit score: ElliQ)

Some seniors in New York are efficiently combating their loneliness with an AI-powered companion robotic named ElliQ—whereas others referred to as the “proactive” gadget a nag and joked about taking an ax to it.

The house assistant robotic, made by Israel-based Instinct Robotics, is obtainable to New York seniors by way of a particular program by way of the state’s Workplace for the Growing old (NYSOFA). Over the previous yr, NYSOFA has partnered with Instinct Robotics to deliver ElliQ to over 800 seniors fighting loneliness. In a report final week, officers mentioned they’d given out a whole bunch and had solely 150 accessible units.

ElliQ features a pill and a two-piece lamp-like robotic with a head that lights up and rotates to face a speaker. Marketed as powered by “Cognitive AI know-how,” it proactively engages in conversations with customers, giving them reminders and prompts, similar to asking them how they’re doing, telling them it is time to examine their blood stress or take their drugs, and asking in the event that they wish to have a video name with household. Talking with a feminine voice, the robotic is designed to carry human-like conversations, have interaction in small speak, specific empathy, and share humor. It will possibly present studying and wellness packages, similar to audiobooks and rest workout routines.

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