AI-powered senior companions hit the tabletops at CES: ElliQ’s Caregiver Solution, ONSCREEN Joy

January 14, 2025 | by

“Companion” tabletop devices shared the spotlight at CES this year, targeting the older adult market and their caregivers–and integrating AI features in their debuts.

Intuition Robotics introduced the latest iteration of its tabletop companion robot, ElliQ, at last week’s CES. The ElliQ Caregiver Solution integrates caregiver-facing features and care assistance into the robot’s app. Previous versions of ElliQ have been oriented towards interactive companionship and “conversing” with the older adult to alleviate loneliness, provide cognitive stimulation, provide support and cues around health and reminders, and improve social connectivity.

The Caregiver Solution expands the app to allow family and caregivers to automate monitoring of the older adult’s health and activity while providing daily companionship. Through the app, caregivers can also set personalized care goals that are then promoted by ElliQ to the older adult during daily activities. Caregivers then receive updates powered by AI features, especially around significant changes in health or behavior. The goal is to reduce caregiver stress by providing unobtrusive monitoring.

The original ElliQ was upgraded and also debuted at CES last year. The ElliQ 3 was redesigned by Yves Behar’s design studio, Fuseproject, to be lighter, smaller, and integrate a screen. The software was updated to integrate generative AI capabilities using Large Language Models (LLM). ElliQ’s own study of July 2024 study found that users reported more engagement and activity with the tabletop ElliQ than with a tablet. Much of this is undoubtedly due to the form factor–a small, cute but not humanoid device that uses AI to model interactions with the older adult. ElliQ has previously been adopted by the New York State Office for the Aging, Inclusa (a Humana company), and the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County, as well as newer partners like The Olympic Area Agency on Aging, Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels, and others.

Intuition Robotics of Tel Aviv has raised $83 million over seven rounds. Crunchbase. Their last raise was $25 million in August 2023 in an unlettered round with $20 million in venture capital plus $5 million in venture debt. The Robot Report, VentureBeat

Also at CES was a new entrant to the tables, ONSCREEN, debuting the Joy tablet-based AI companion. Targeted to older adults living at home or in senior communities, the Joy programming can run on iPads or Android-based tablets families already own. It has companionship features such as conversations, trivia, jokes, and creative activities, wellness reminders, video calling and Zoom connectivity, messaging, YouTube content shared by family members, and a photo gallery. It rebranded its existing app for family members and caregivers as ONSCREEN Family. Now available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, it is also affordable at a modest $9.99 per month. The company previously developed Moment, a TV-based senior care device. Release

Short takes: Intuition Robotics gains $25M funding, Akili Interactive abandons digital Rx therapeutics, NextGen goes private for $1.8B, ATA’s DC advocacy ‘fly in’ + launches new tools on disparities

September 19, 2023 | by

Catching up on the catchup…

Israel-based Intuition Robotics raised $25 million. The unlettered round closed at end of August with $20 million in venture capital plus $5 million in venture debt. According to the release, the funding was led by Woven Capital, the growth fund of Toyota, with participation from Toyota Ventures, OurCrowd, Western Technology Investment, and additional investors. Intuition Robotics is the developer of ElliQ, an interactive desktop companion robot targeted to older adults and those with assistive needs, last covered in their 2.0 update last December and their involvement with New York’s Office for the Aging [TTA 25 May 22 and WSHU]. The Area Agency on Aging of Broward County, the Olympic Area Agency on Aging, and California’s Agency on Aging in Area 4 have also worked with Intuition Robotics on distributing the companion to older adults in their programs. According to the company, older adults who successfully engage with it average over 30 daily interactions with ElliQ and reduce the devastation of loneliness for 95% of users. 

Akili Interactive exits prescription digital therapeutics (PDT), pivots to consumer, drops 40% of staff. Much like Better Therapeutics and the now sliced-up Pear Therapeutics, the company realized that PDT was not a winning strategy for its interactive video game-based therapy for adults with ADHD. The EndeavorOTC version, released in June, is available via a subscription (SaaS) through the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for $24.99 for a monthly plan or $129.00 for an annual plan. According to their release, Akili will pursue regulatory approval for over-the-counter labeling of its treatment products. Akili is yet another cracked SPAC facing a reckoning, currently trading on Nasdaq at $0.66 from its debut in August 2022 at $14 with a quick fall to $4.   HIStalk 15 Sept, Rock Health Weekly Newsletter

NextGen acquired by private equity firm Thoma Bravo for $1.8 billion, ending 41 years of public market trading. The offer price is $23.95 per share in cash, an over 46% premium to the Nasdaq share price on 22 August. NextGen Healthcare is an EHR with population health and practice management features designed primarily for specialty medical practices. NextGen went public as Quality Systems an eon ago in 1982.  Release, FierceHealthcare

And…the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) celebrates the third annual Telehealth Awareness Week (17-23 September) with a telehealth advocacy ‘fly in’ to meet with Congressional offices and Members in Washington DC on 18-19 September, plus their three tools to eliminate disparities in telehealth services developed by ATA’s Advisory Group on Using Telehealth to Eliminate Disparities and Inequities. They are a Digital Infrastructure Disparities Score and Map, an Economic and Social Value-Added Calculator, and a toolkit with all ATA and advisory group-developed resources. Releases 19 July (fly-in) and 18 Sept (disparities tools)

News (and robot) roundup: ElliQ companion robot upgrades, named to 2022 TIME list; Robin the Robot introduced for older adult care; Utilita acquires Canary Care (UK)

December 7, 2022 | by

ElliQ, a desktop companion robot targeted to older adults and those with assistive needs, announced an upgrade to their software, a new 2.0 edition of their hardware (left), and a communication app for caregivers. In March, when Intuition Robotics launched it, this Editor noted its unusual shape, versatile small size, controlled by a small tablet with a simplified interface, and its ability to combine both chat interactivity and wellness tracking, including appointments and med reminders.

  • The new software enhances interactivity with deeper conversations, and more content, such as museum exhibit tours, virtual travel, and the recording of memories to send to loved ones. The software upgrades are supported on ElliQ 1.0 and the new 2.0 hardware.
  • The 2.0 hardware is at a significantly larger scale with improvements such as simpler tablet charging, a better screen, and higher quality far field microphone performance. 
  • The new companion app for family members, friends, and caregivers expands capabilities into video calls, text/image/video messages, remote reminder setting, and updates on wellness changes. The free app is available shortly on the Apple Store and Google Play.

ElliQ was also named to TIME’s 2022 list of Best Inventions in the Accessibility category, for innovation in helping seniors live happier and healthier with the use of easy-to-use AI and technology.

In May, ElliQ entered a partnership with the NYSOFA (New York State Office for the Aging) program with 800 older adults in care. Based on their impact study from the first six months of distribution, ElliQ has had some impressive results, such as reducing loneliness in 80% of users and helps 82% stay mentally active. Release (PDF)

Another TIME winner in 2021 for robotics, Robin the Robot, has been introduced in care for older adults at Riverwalk Post-Acute in Riverside, California. Robin’s design is child-sized at 4 feet and mimics a child of about seven years. Most of the Robin pilots are in pediatric hospitals such as UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, augmenting care through interacting with the child, providing social support through telepresence and unobtrusive patient monitoring. This new initiative in older adult post-acute care not only monitors emotional state by observing patient facial expressions, but also provides companionship and mental stimulation through playing games and conversation at a ‘grandchild’ level. Expper Technologies, a seed-stage company also in California, in October won a $2 million round led by Starta VC with its co-investing platform Liqvest and Formula VC. HealthLeadersMedia  More on Robin’s use in this type of care is in this blog post.

In the UK, Canary Care has been acquired by energy ‘challenger’ provider Utilita. Oxfordshire-based Canary Care expands Utilita’s home services area into assistive technology with wireless sensors that monitor activity, temperature, and portal accessible by family and caregivers. Transaction cost is not disclosed. Canary Care will continue as a separate entity, but will be working with Utilita’s tech arm, Procode, on research and development. Utilita supplies energy and also energy control such as smart meters and monitoring apps. Release (PDF). 

ElliQ companion robot, NYSOFA partner for NY older adult assistance

May 25, 2022 | by

In a step to move robotics more widely into the home, the recently launched ElliQ voice-controlled small-size companion robot from Intuition Robotics will be offered in a pilot program to about 800 seniors in a NYSOFA (New York State Office for the Aging) program. NYSOFA and Intuition Robotics will work with over 830+ case managers to nominate the best candidates for the program. The NY state office is the company’s first state government partner. This is the second initiative in robotics for NYSOFA, the first being an animatronic pet program from Ageless Innovations/Joy for All that reportedly reduces self-reported loneliness by 70 percent.

As we noted in March, ElliQ responds and ‘learns’ by voice commands and through a connected tablet. It is unusually shaped like a small lamp, is animated in place, and initiates conversation that resembles chit-chat after a learning period. Behind this is interactivity–the companion part–checking in to say “good morning,” pointing towards sleep, but also informing family or friends that you’re OK and helping track appointments and medications. ElliQ release

Friday short takes: ElliQ companion robot launches, Tunstall pilots chronic condition support in Ireland, Walmart Better(s)Up, TytoCare surveys virtual primary care, Microsoft closes $19B buy of Nuance

March 18, 2022 | by

ElliQ, a small size companion robot, was officially launched this week by its developer, Intuition Robotics. From the release, it’s a national launch but concentrated in senior-rich south Florida. ElliQ responds and ‘learns’ by voice commands and through a connected tablet. It has gained some notice for its unusual shape (like a small lamp), animation in place, and initiating conversation that resembles chit-chat. Behind this is interactivity–the companion part–checking in to say “good morning,” pointing towards sleep, but also informing family or friends that you’re OK and helping track appointments and medications. We noted at the end of January that Michael Cantor, MD, JD is their chief medical officer, as well as CMO of Uber Health. Intuition release, Fast Company profile of an ElliQ beta tester, aged 81.

It’s a day late for St. Patrick’s Day, but Tunstall Healthcare piloted with several agencies in County Wexford, Ireland, in a 12-week proof of concept test of remote monitoring support of 50 patients with three chronic conditions: heart failure, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The 2021 telehealth intervention measured the impact on the patient’s clinical condition and wellbeing; in-person use of health services; ascertaining patient and clinician perceptions of the intervention and technology; and an analysis of the cost-effectiveness of the intervention. The trial used the myMobile patient app and the triageManager clinical management software platform. Participating in the pilot: Age Friendly Ireland, Integrated Care Programme in the HSE, Wexford General Hospital, Tunstall Emergency Response and Wexford County Council-Age Friendly Programme. THIIS. Also in the same publication is a Tunstall take by Gavin Bashar, Tunstall UK & Ireland managing director, on aging in place with technology support.

In another expansion of Walmart into healthcare, they’re partnering with behavioral health-coaching platform BetterUp in a program dubbed ‘BetterUp for Caregivers’. The app will be offered exclusively through Walmart’s Wellness Hub. Caregivers can access support via BetterUp’s live group coaching circles hosted by a BetterUp coach. Release, Mobihealthnews

TytoCare’s quick survey found that their 300 users via a major insurer preferred more access to virtual primary care, which isn’t much of a surprise. Going through the numbers:

  • 67% felt they would be more likely to stay with their health insurer long-term as a result of being offered remote physical examinations (always catnip to insurers!)
  • 66% of users would consider a digital-first plan
  • 87% of respondents indicated they are pleased by health insurers who offer technology for remote visits
  • Much of this is a reaction to delayed in-person primary care: 90% of members wait an average of six days to see their primary care physician. Over 45% wait between 1-2 hours or more. 

And in the It’s About Time Department, Microsoft’s $19 billion purchase of Nuance Communications closed after the UK cleared the acquisition. It was our Really Big Deal of 21 April 2021. Nuance is a cloud and AI-based speech recognition company with well-known brands Dragon and PowerScribe. Becker’s. 

Robots, robots at CES: ElliQ, Sophia the ‘humanoid’, companions, pets, butlers, maids…and at a supermarket near you?

January 23, 2018 | by
[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Overrun-by-Robots1-183×108.jpg” thumb_width=”150″ /]CES as usual was a Robot Showcase, though without the presence of our recent Spotlight Robot Kompaï.  One of our other Spotlighters, Intuition Robotics‘ ElliQ companion robot, won the CES Best of Innovation Award in the Smart Home category (release).

[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/sophia-header.jpg” thumb_width=”100″ /]Much press went to Hanson Robotics’ Sophia, a Frubber-skinned humanoid robot from Hong Kong. It (She?) sees through cameras and sensors, through them recognizes speech and facial expressions, responds through natural language processing, and has a motion control system. It started walking on its own at CES courtesy of DRC-HUBO-developed legs. Its creator David Hanson, backed by Disney (Animatronics!) looks forward to an adult-level of general intelligence via AI development for future uses such as customer service, caring for children or older adults, or therapy. It has the ‘uncanny valley’ problem of verging on lifelike. The BBC interviewed Sophia at CES. (No, they didn’t sign her to be a presenter.) SFGate. The AI crowd in Silicon Valley and Facebook’s AI head with the interesting name of Yann LeCun performed a Two-Minute Hate about her to a rather partisan writer in The Verge. (Not Invented Here Syndrome? Perhaps they’re just envious.)

[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/aibo.jpg” thumb_width=”100″ /]Most of CES’ robots were a Parade of Cute and When Not Cute, Wistful. Or Not Working. Sony’s brought back the Aibo robot dog out of its 2006 retirement with the ERS 1000, which lacks only a non-shed coat to be puppy-like. According to the WSJ, $1,700 will make Aibo your companion–and it doesn’t need food or walking. Blue Frog Robotics’ Buddy is a family companion, control point for connected homes, and security monitor. You might trip over it and the $1,500 cost. More in the utility line is Ubtech Robotics’ Walker which, unlike the Walker of ‘Point Blank’, isn’t looking for his $93,000 but will walk point around your house for security, connect you to your home controls, and ‘butler’ your appointments, emails, and video calls. The maid’s duties will be done by the Aeolus Robot, which will sweep, pick up and put away your things, and also do some assistant work. Honda’s 3E robots are Transformer-like for more commercial duties like assistants, smart scooters, and carriers. A more here-and-now robot addressing a major need is another robotic glove for those with hand or mobility restrictions, the leather glove-like NeoMano.

[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Pepper-faints.jpg” thumb_width=”100″ /]Not every robot was on their best behavior. Going on the fritz were LG’s CLOi smart home controller–on stage, no less. YYD’s latest robot, not only a home assistant but also a health status/chronic disease monitor, died into screen code in front of a BBC reporter. One of Softbank’s Pepper robots (left) was so overwhelmed by the excitement of CES that it fainted. Perhaps time to return to the calm of the Ostend, Belgium hospital? [TTA 21 June 16] Wired UK, South China Morning Post, CNet

Back in the Real World. Welcomed into Scottish supermarket chain Margiotta was ‘ShopBot’, dubbed Fabio. In an experiment run by Heriot-Watt University for the BBC’s Six Robots & Us (UK viewers only), Fabio was programmed with directions to hundreds of items in the store. It had an abundance of cute. Customers initially liked Fabio. Unfortunately, its conversational quality and conveyance of information were sorely lacking. For instance, Fabio told customers to go to the ‘alcohol section’ when they wanted beer. (Now if they wanted Scotch….) On top of it, its mobility was limited, and the disability laws don’t apply. So the Margiottas sacked Fabio, with regrets but no severance, after one week on the job. Oh. Telegraph (paywalled), Yahoo News UK