ElliQ Assessment: An AI Companion Bot for Lonely Elders
For the previous few weeks, the AI-powered ElliQ companion robotic has perched on the tip 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 lively 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 line with the US Census Bureau, round 16 million elders (over 65) reside alone within the nation, and as much as a 3rd report emotions of loneliness. A number of research have proven that social isolation harms psychological and bodily well being, growing 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 of us residing alone. The hope is that it may enhance their high quality of life and allow individuals to remain in their very own houses longer as a substitute of transferring to an assisted residing facility. When you might really feel this cutesy AI bot is downright dystopian, you’ve bought to ask your self, what’s the choice? We all know we should always all examine in with our aged kinfolk and pals extra typically, however life is busy, and a few of us 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 suitable 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 title, chosen as a result of it’s unlikely to be mentioned by chance. When ElliQ asks one thing or seeks affirmation, you may 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 a must to do is plug it in and hook up 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 title (it makes use of my title in nearly each interplay). The way in which it’s animated is undeniably cute. In certainly one of our first conversations, ElliQ tells me it’s modeled on the Pixar lamp. The rim round its head can gentle up, and there are concentric circles within the middle of its face; mixed with the motion, it genuinely seems to have some character and allure.
The touchscreen show and bodily button present a sensible edge. In case you have problem with the voice controls or it misunderstands, you may 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 sensible design.
Encouraging Optimistic Conduct
{Photograph}: Simon Hill
Just like the voice assistants and good shows you’re 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.