Recently, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot "Elliq" developed by the Israeli company Intuition Robotics is becoming an important companion in the lives of many elderly Americans. This AI device is specifically designed to alleviate the feelings of loneliness and isolation that many older Americans experience and is currently the only AI device on the market that targets this target group. The Physicists' Network of Organizations reported on the matter.
According to reports, the ElliQ looks like a small table lamp, with a head that lacks eyes and a mouth, but can glow and rotate. It is able to remember each user's interests and conversations in order to provide more personalized chat content in the future. Joyce Loaiza, 81, Deanna Dezern, 83, Mary Broadbent, 92, and Jan Worrell, 83, were among the first users of Elliq, and the AI robot won them and other seniors with its unique design and capabilities.
According to Intuition Robotics, ElliQ has a wide variety of features, including telling jokes, providing inspirational quotes, making calls, guiding exercise, asking about health, reminding to take medication and drinking water, and more. It can also contact relatives, friends, or doctors in case of an emergency. With the included screen, ElliQ can even provide users with a "virtual" tour of the city and museums.
Dor Skuler, CEO of Intuition Robotics, says he had the idea for Elliq before he started the company eight years ago. His widowed grandfather needed an assistant, but the first attempt was unsuccessful. However, the successor Elliq understands his grandfather's love of classicism and his unique sense of humor, which makes him realize that chatbots can fill the void of companionship by adapting to the personality and interests of each older person.
While some have questioned whether AI can truly meet the needs of older adults, ElliQ users and R&D institutions agree that while it can't completely replace human interaction, it can provide an important way for seniors who lack social networks or stay at home. Especially during the pandemic, when many seniors have become more lonely, ElliQ's presence has brought them that extra interaction and joy.
Notably, ElliQ was deliberately not designed to exactly mimic a human, with no eyes and mouth to avoid misleading users for humans. Its name "Elliq" is a reference to the Norwegian goddess of old age and the letter "Q" representing her AI identity. Skuler emphasizes that the company wants to ensure that Elliq always appears as an AI and not pretending to be a classmate.
Although some seniors who use the Elliq sometimes need to remind themselves that it's not biological, they generally agree that the device is easy to set up and use. Some people may find Elliq overly talkative, but this can be reduced by adjusting the settings. Many users have shared their profound interactions with ElliQ, such as Dezern receiving comfort from ElliQ after a friend's death, and Worrell using ElliQ as an icebreaker tool to make new friends.
Overall, ElliQ provides valuable companionship and interaction opportunities for seniors through its unique AI technology and personalization features, helping them find joy and comfort in the face of loneliness and isolation. This device not only changes the lives of these elderly people, but also indicates the important role that artificial intelligence may play in the field of elderly care in the future.
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