Artificial Intelligence Robot Companion for the Elderly
A tech startup company called Intuition Robotics recently unveiled their intelligent virtual assistant that could just be exactly what we need to improve the lives of our aging population. The gimmick in question is called Elli Q and it looks pretty much like a table lamp. The robot was designed with the purpose of providing companionship to elderly people that we already know are one of the most socially isolated groups. Intuition Robotics promises to help this group by making technology more "intuitive and accessible" while at the same time promoting a healthy lifestyle VenutreBeat reports.
The aging and lonely population
As the world's population continues to age at a fast pace, a growing number of tech companies are turning their focus to this particular age group. Current worldwide statistics state that almost 1 in 10 people is over 60 and that by 2050, these numbers will change to 1 in 5. Furthermore, according to the Administration for Community Living, almost half of all women (46%) over 75 are living alone. The loss of social ties and social roles in the elderly means that this population group is prone to depression and associated health problems. To improve the lives of lonely elderly people, companies like Intuition Robotics are thinking of ways to keeping them active and engaged. The Elli Q project is an attempt to do just that by making technology more accessible and with this, easier to use.
About Elli Q and how it can help
The Elli Q robot is essentially an intelligent virtual assistant consists of two elements – the lamp-shaped "social director" and an accompanying screen. Elli Q is voice-operated and may suggest music, audiobooks, and activities to the owner. The robot also reminds the owner of their appointments and when it's time to take their medication. The robot also makes keeping in touch with friends and relatives easier by updating the owner on what's happening on their social media accounts and opening video chats. But Elli Q has certain advanced features we haven't seen in other similar AI robots such as using sound, light, and intonation to express different moods and over time, adapting to the owner's needs.
What the developers have to say
Dor Skuler, CEO and founder of Intuition Robotics says that the goal of their project is to "leverage a combination of their proprietary technology, research in gerontology, and emotive interaction models in order to give older adults the power to interact with technology and easily connect with their loved ones and to keep an active lifestyle." But he also notes that the very idea of having a robot for a companion seems rather dystopian. Nevertheless, the idea seems like an easy way to keep older people entertained, active, and interactive with their loved ones.
Other similar high-tech gadgets
But the Elli Q robot is not at all that unique. There are many similar devices of its kind already in use such as Google Home and the Amazon Echo and that function as home assistants. However, the Elli Q was designed with a specific social group in mind so it has a couple of unique features. The Elli Q robot is more of a companion than it is a home-improving device. Both the Amazon Echo and Google Home were hit, reaching staggering sales rates. Since launching Amazon Echo, the company has sold over 4 million of its units in just 3 years. We can expect the same level of success with Elli Q, especially considering that the device is targeted towards a large and ever-growing social group.
The challenges the elderly face
Studies show that the elderly are much more likely to suffer from depression and general health decline when lonely. On the other hand, any kind of companionship was found to make a big difference to this population group. For instance, a study published in Psychogeriatric found that dogs make suitable companions to the elderly, helping them stay active and providing companionship. Staying active and social throughout one's lifetime is an important part of what it means to have a greater quality of life. The challenges aging presents usually make it harder to stay active due to illness or social due to losing friends and family members
Conclusion
Although intelligent virtual assistants such as Elli Q can never replace real human interaction, such devices can become a sort of social crutches to our aging population. One of the main problems our modern technology is that it is complicated to use for some. Devices like Elli Q can make the use of our technological advancement much more accessible to groups that could really benefit from them. Although Elli Q is still in its inception, we'll probably be seeing this device any time soon on the market, and see if it truly does provide the promised benefits to one of the world's largest social groups.
