For the previous few weeks, the AI-powered ElliQ companion robotic has perched on the top of my desk. Designed by Instinct Robotics for seniors residing alone, this proactive animatronic chats to me all through the day, checking how I’m feeling, suggesting “enjoyable” actions, and prodding me to be extra energetic and sociable. Whereas it may be annoying, I’ve grown hooked up to ElliQ regardless of myself, and I can see the constructive potential.
Loneliness is an epidemic. In response to the US Census Bureau, round 16 million elders (over 65) stay alone within the nation, and up to a third report emotions of loneliness. Multiple studies have shown that social isolation harms psychological and bodily well being, rising blood stress, melancholy, weight acquire, alcohol and drug use, and lowering bodily exercise, cognition, coronary heart well being, and sleep. People are inherently social creatures.
ElliQ is designed to alleviate these emotions and encourage wholesome conduct in aged people residing alone. The hope is that it could actually enhance their high quality of life and allow individuals to remain in their very own properties longer as an alternative of transferring to an assisted residing facility. Whilst you might really feel this cutesy AI bot is downright dystopian, you’ve acquired to ask your self, what’s the choice? We all know we should always all verify in with our aged kin and buddies extra typically, however life is busy, and a few people are alone for lengthy stretches.
Cute and Sensible
{Photograph}: Simon Hill
ElliQ sits on a pedestal with a metallic physique and a head that swivels, tilts, and lights up when it speaks. There’s a small good show and speaker on the proper with a bodily button to press to wake ElliQ or silence it. The button additionally spins for quantity management. You possibly can wake ElliQ by saying its identify, chosen as a result of it’s unlikely to be mentioned by accident. When ElliQ asks one thing or seeks affirmation, you’ll be able to reply verbally or use the touchscreen.
The setup was a breeze. ElliQ arrived in easy packaging with directions in an easy-to-read, massive font. All it’s important to do is plug it in and connect with Wi-Fi. The primary time we spoke, ElliQ requested me a number of questions. Potential solutions popped up on the touchscreen. It ran by means of questions I would ask, and I used to be prompted to learn a number of strains so ElliQ might acknowledge my voice.
ElliQ speaks in a barely stilted, fully inoffensive feminine voice with tiny pauses earlier than my identify (it makes use of my identify in nearly each interplay). The best way it’s animated is undeniably cute. In one among our first conversations, ElliQ tells me it’s modeled on the Pixar lamp. The rim round its head can mild up, and there are concentric circles within the middle of its face; mixed with the motion, it genuinely seems to have some character and attraction.
The touchscreen show and bodily button present a sensible edge. When you have issue with the voice controls or it misunderstands, you’ll be able to faucet the choice you need. I additionally use the bodily sleep button to close it down instantly when it pipes up throughout conferences or after I’m in any other case engaged. All in all, it’s a wise design.
Encouraging Optimistic Conduct
{Photograph}: Simon Hill
Just like the voice assistants and smart displays you might be used to, ElliQ can reply fundamental queries, offer you a climate report, remind you about an appointment, or take music requests. However ElliQ can be proactive, beginning conversations all through the day and fascinating you in actions. Instinct Robotics cofounder and CEO Dor Skuler says creating this sense of autonomy is essential to constructing engagement and getting individuals to think about ElliQ as a personality of their lives.
