Robot Companion

A new home robot was recently unveiled that’s designed to help keep aging adults active and engaged. Dubbed ElliQ, the desktop device consists of a stylized “body” and a separate, detachable screen. Cameras and face recognition enable it to detect when the user is nearby and direct its attention to them when they speak. ElliQ can proactively recommend activities, such as watching a video or taking a walk, as well as remind the user of scheduled events, including when it’s time to take their medication. Machine learning helps tailor the suggestions to individual preferences and prevent the robot from becoming annoying.

A key feature of ElliQ is the ability to overcome the complexity of the digital world by interfacing easily with existing services like social media, messaging, and audio/video streaming. For example, it can alert the user of new Facebook posts and allow them to reply using speech recognition and speech-to-text technology. To alleviate concerns about privacy, the system is designed to only send audio to the cloud when it hears its name, and any information captured by the camera remains on the local device.

Although nothing can (or should) replace human-to-human interaction, devices like ElliQ can make life easier and more interactive as physical and cognitive health declines. As the population ages, and the technology becomes more affordable, robots and home assistants will undoubtedly play a larger role in our everyday lives.