Emotionally intelligent robot plays games with elderly and keeps them active

An emotionally intelligent robot has been created to help older people stay connected with their family and friends and to help them maintain a healthy level of cognitive and social activity.

ElliQ, an advanced social companion robot, has been designed by Intuition Robotics’ to convey emotion through different speech tones, lights and body language. The robot reminds people to take their medication and suggests activities such as reading, going for a walk, playing games or phoning friends and family.

Dor Skuler, chief executive and founder of Intuition Robotics, said: “Our goal is to leverage a combination of our technology, emotive interaction models and insights with design to empower older adults to intuitively interact with technology and easily connect with content and loved ones, and pursue an active lifestyle.

“We like to think of ElliQ as part communication coordinator, part facilitator of lifelong learning and part coach. She’s easy to talk to, intuitive to operate and understands her owner.”

Overcoming the complexity of the digital world

ElliQ has been designed to avoid the look and feel of a traditional robot and enable older adults to use a vast array of technologies, including video chats, online games and social media to connect with families and friends and overcome the complexity of the digital world.

The device inspires participation in activities by proactively suggesting and instantly connecting older adults to digital content such as TED talks, music or audiobooks; recommending activities in the physical world including taking a walk, keeping appointments and taking medications on time; and connecting with family through technology such as chat bots linked to Facebook Messenger.

Using 'natural communication' such as body language that conveys emotion, speech interface, sounds, lights and images to express herself, ElliQ is emotive and can be easily understood. Using machine learning, the robot learns the preferences, behaviour and personality of its owner, and proactively recommends activities based on the individual’s history and recommendations.

Isolated people are becoming increasingly reliant on technology

According to Age UK, nearly half of all people aged 75 and over live alone and more than one million say they always or often feel lonely. More than a third speak to less than one person a day and 11 per cent say they spend five days or more a month without seeing anyone.

Older adults living in isolation increasingly rely on technology rather than face-to-face interaction, yet they often find the technology confusing. Nearly half of older people aged 65 and over say that television or pets are their main form of company.

Similarly, rates of ‘severe loneliness’ reported by people living in a care home are more than twice that of residents in the wider community.

Over 80 per cent of older care home residents with mental health problems say they feel lonely in their care home and that this could be eased if staff were able to spend more time with them. Many enjoy the company of care home staff, but see their workload as preventative to further social interaction.

The robot exhibits human characteristics

ElliQ’s innovative design was created in collaboration with Yves Béhar, founder and principal designer of Fuseproject.

The robot exhibits human characteristics through gestures animated by movement, speech, sounds and light. An LED lighting display, along with a wide range of motions are utilised to convey subtle emotional expressions, giving the device a friendly and warm personification. The device also consists of a separate screen that functions in a cradle display or in the user’s hand to view content in the location of their choice.

“The idea of having a robot companion is quite dystopian, especially for older generations. Through years of research, we have been able to develop a language and user experience that feels natural, with subtle expressions to develop a unique bond between ElliQ and its owner,” added Mr Béhar.

“ElliQ could never replace human interaction, but it can be an important motivating factor in keeping older adults healthy and active.”

Intuition Robotics will be starting a trial phase in the homes of older adults in the California's Bay Area in February 2017.

Intuition Robotics develop social companion technology to positively impact the lives of older adults by connecting them with family and friends, making technology accessible and intuitive, and proactively promoting an active lifestyle.

For more information visit: www.intuitionrobotics.com