Intuition Robotics

For the elderly, loneliness can be a threat just as big as any disease: Estimated to cost Medicare $7 billion a year, the condition is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia, anxiety, depression, and premature death, according to the U.S. surgeon general. That’s one reason that more than 300 older adults in New York State have been paired up with ElliQ, Intuition Robotics’ “companion robot.” About the size of a desk lamp and equipped with a tablet, touch screen, and cheerful, empathetic, voice-interaction software, the robot can both monitor seniors and keep them company throughout the day—a valuable service at a time when the number of elderly people in society is growing far faster than the number of caregivers. The New York State Office for the Aging began piloting ElliQ last year among socially isolated seniors. Acting Director Greg Olsen says that 95% of the robot’s users report a reduction in loneliness and an overall improvement in health—thanks to ElliQ’s proactive messaging and activities around hydration, medication, nutrition, cognitive games, and mindfulness. Intuition now has contracts with a handful of state and local governments; it also sells the robot to individuals for $250 (plus a $30 monthly subscription fee) and plans to target health care customers in the future.