AI-Based Companion Robot ElliQ Aims to Alleviate Loneliness in Seniors

Despite concerns about replacing human contact, the device is reported to significantly reduce feelings of loneliness among users.

Intuition Robotics has developed ElliQ, an AI-based companion robot designed to alleviate loneliness and isolation in seniors. The device, which resembles a small table lamp, engages in human-like conversations, remembers each user's interests and tailors future chats accordingly.
ElliQ can tell jokes, play music, provide inspirational quotes, lead exercises, ask about the owner's health, give reminders to take medications and drink water, and even host video calls. It can also contact relatives, friends, or doctors in an emergency.
CEO Dor Skuler reports that the average user interacts with ElliQ more than 30 times daily, and more than 90% of users report lower levels of loneliness. The robots are mostly distributed by assistance agencies in several states, but can also be purchased individually for $600 a year and a $250 installation fee.
Despite its benefits, some experts express concern that devices like ElliQ could make people less likely to seek human contact. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a psychology professor at Brigham Young University, argues that while AI might provide short-term benefits, it's unclear whether it actually fulfills any kind of need or just dampens the signal of loneliness.
Skuler and agency heads distributing ElliQ agree that it isn't a substitute for human contact. However, they argue that not all seniors have social networks, and some are housebound. They believe that ElliQ can provide valuable companionship for these individuals.