Artificially intelligent robotic pet companions are an emerging trend widely adopted to enhance the emotional and social well-being of seniors.

These robotic pets, often designed as cats or dogs, provide interactive companionship that can reduce loneliness, anxiety, and depression while promoting engagement and a sense of purpose.

This report introduces the current products available, their features and uses in therapeutic or social settings, summarizes key evidence regarding their benefits and limitations, and discusses public attitudes alongside ethical considerations relating to their use as substitutes for live animals.

Currently, a variety of robotic pet products are marketed specifically for seniors, many of which are incorporated in senior living communities, memory care units, and private homes.

Popular examples include the Joy for All companion pets—realistic robotic cats and puppies with features such as heartbeats, soft imitation fur, and responsiveness to touch, voice, and motion.

These pets cost approximately $120 to $140 and are widely used by individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia to help cope with social isolation.

Caregivers observe reduced anxiety and aggression in residents while also benefiting themselves from breaks in caregiving demands.

Similarly, robotic cats and dogs used at Fellowship Manor have demonstrated emotional benefits including improved mood, increased social interaction, and reduced depression, at a cost just over $100 per unit.

These pets are matched to residents based on preferences and help rekindle fond memories of past pets, thereby supporting long-term well-being.

Some robotic companions integrate advanced AI with conversational and health management functions.

For example, ElliQ, deployed in places such as New York and Florida, acts as a socially intelligent companion that proactively engages users through conversation, remembers preferences, offers health reminders (e.g., medication and hydration), guides exercises, plays games, and facilitates video calls with family or medical professionals.

ElliQ requires an initial purchase plus a monthly subscription fee ($30–$40) and notably helps reduce loneliness while supporting aging in place.

Another program in South Florida, funded by state and federal government resources, provides similar AI robots that can interact, tell jokes, play music, remind users about medication and hydration, and enable video communication.

These programs prioritize safety and privacy through controlled contact functions and plan expanded capabilities such as multiple language support and health data sharing with caregivers upon user consent.

On the higher end of technology, some advanced robotic dogs—such as models developed by Unitree Robotics—incorporate lidar sensors, obstacle avoidance, and sophisticated control allowing them to walk, dance, and follow commands.

These units, costing roughly $2,774, aim to provide companionship and perform tasks typically requiring human or live animal involvement, representing a link between pet companionship and robotic utility.

Clinical observations and research underscore that these robotic companions offer notable emotional and therapeutic benefits for seniors, particularly those who are lonely, anxious, or experiencing cognitive decline such as dementia.

They foster social interaction, alleviate isolation, improve mood, and reduce caregiver burden.

Studies report reductions in agitation, aggression, anxiety, and use of medication among users of robotic pets.

While not a complete replacement for human contact or live animals, these robotic companions complement care provision and enhance quality of life, especially in environments where live pets may be impractical due to hygiene, safety, or staffing constraints.

Public perception of robotic pet companions tends to be positive, especially recognizing their value for vulnerable populations including the elderly with dementia.

Many see them as beneficial emotional support devices that can fill critical gaps where live animal interaction is unavailable.

Nonetheless, ethical debates continue around replacing living animals with robots.

Critics raise concerns about the authenticity of robotic companionship, potential deception when users perceive robots as sentient, and the loss of genuine human-animal bonds.

There is also discussion about societal implications of increasing reliance on robotic substitutes for real relationships and care.

Experts generally frame robotic pets as a pragmatic compromise: they provide meaningful engagement and comfort without the responsibilities, risks, and logistical challenges posed by live animals in care settings.

In summary, robotic pet companions available for seniors range from relatively affordable, lifelike cats and dogs responsive to touch and voice, to AI-powered conversational robots providing reminders, calls, and games, up to high-tech robotic dogs with advanced sensors and mobility.

These tools have attracted increasing use in individual homes, senior communities, assisted living, and memory care units to address emotional needs and reduce social isolation.

Evidence supports their value in improving mood, reducing anxiety, and supporting mental health, though they should be viewed as complementary rather than substitutive to human and animal interaction.

Public and expert discourse appreciates their therapeutic utility while urging ongoing consideration of authenticity, ethics, and the importance of balanced caregiving approaches in elder wellness.

Given the rapid advancement in robotics and AI, it is expected that these technologies will continue improving in interactivity and accessibility, potentially expanding their role in senior care.

However, sustained integration will depend on resolving funding, privacy, and ethical challenges as well as tailoring technology to individual users’ needs and preferences.

Overall, robotic pet companions represent a promising, innovative tool contributing to enhanced quality of life and emotional support for many older adults.

Artificially intelligent robotic pet companions are an emerging trend widely adopted to enhance the emotional and social well-being of seniors.

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7 Weirdest Robots That Science Has Reached “You ’ ll Never Imagine ”
© Photo / pixabay / mariananbuA bee-shaped robot with a fan
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Scientific robotics companies are competing to create sophisticated models that can meet many different needs, especially in medicine and other fields.
The large and massive development in the field of artificial intelligence, chips and complex mechanics supported by advanced technology contributes to increasing the speed of development of robots and the multiplicity of their varieties and sizes, which has produced a series of very strange robots, the most prominent of which are:
1- Metabird Robot
The MetaBird robot is a drone, almost indistinguishable from real birds, and is based on the principle of biomimicry from Bionic Bird.
The principle of biomimicry is the successful and accurate replication of the properties or mechanisms of action of things that already exist in nature.
The bird-shaped aircraft weighs less than 10 grams and has no propellers, making it safe to maneuver. It is also equipped with flexible wings made of carbon fiber and liquid crystal polymers. The body itself is made of durable foam, so it is not affected by water and shocks. It is equipped with a battery to help it fly for 10 minutes and is controlled by a mobile device.
Robot (Bat Bot).
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have recreated key bat flight mechanisms and embedded them into the Batbot.
The robot weighs about 93 grams and flies with wings made of an easily stretchable silicone membrane.
The robot can simply change the shape of the wings, bend and disassemble them, and can fold the shoulders, elbows, wrists and legs.
The computer and sensors are embedded in the Batbot head, and there are five precision motors along the spine.
It provides him with the ability to mimic flying mammals well by controlling him with a special device.
Researchers suggest that thanks to flexible wings, robotic bats are more energy efficient than other flying robots.
Lightweight and agile, these robots are useful as traditional quadcopters can collide with objects or people causing damage or injury, such as on construction sites.
3. Salamander Robot "BlueRobot"
The "Pleurobot" robot, created by researchers at the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL), can walk on the ground, swim underwater and navigate between the two with similar success to the amphibian salamander.
To develop the robot, scientists used salamander X-rays and studied how its skeleton worked during movement.
The low center of gravity, which allows the robot to move on rough terrain without losing balance, also provides the ability to swim and can make it a useful tool for search and rescue operations.
The researchers also plan to study the interaction between the spinal cord, the body and the environment.
According to the project leader, Olek Eisbert, understanding the basis of this interaction will help develop neuroprosthetic therapies and devices for those with hemiplegia and amputation.
4. The water snake robot "Elum"
The snake-like body allows the robot to move effectively not only on the ground, but also in the water.
The Norwegian robotics company has borrowed the nickname "Eelume" to design an autonomous autonomous robot.
His slim, flexible body gave him the ability to work in confined spaces where conventional underwater vehicles could not get in.
Eelume is suitable for inspections and light repairs of underwater structures such as offshore wind farms, fish farms, oil and gas installations and pipelines.
The device consists of modules that can be interconnected in different groups depending on the task.
The robot is shipped from the docking station on the seabed so that it can stay underwater continuously and not depend on weather conditions.
The cockroach robot "CRAM"
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a prototype of a roach-like CRAM robot.
The design of the robot was inspired by the unique way insects move and are immune to damage.
The robot has an exoskeleton made up of strong panels and a soft cover that allows it to change shape and adapt to very narrow gaps.
Such a robot could help search for and rescue people under rubble formed as a result of hurricanes, earthquakes and explosions.
6. Pet Robots
These robots work on the principle of interactive communication between humans and robots with the aim of improving the quality of life of the elderly, such as the robot "AIBO" from Sony.
An example of this is also the robot dog produced by the company "Tombot".
This robot is almost like a real Labrador puppy and, according to the developers, should solve the problem of elderly people who need a friend, but are unable to care for a living dog.
The company ’ s founder was inspired by his mother, who suffered from Alzheimer ’ s disease and was no longer able to care for her dog, with whom she was so attached.
The dog became aggressive towards its mother, exacerbating the woman's depression and loneliness.
Accompanying robots could solve loneliness and social isolation in older adults and people with cognitive disabilities, as part of a study funded by the American insurance company.
7- The therapeutic robot "PARO"
PARO is one of the most important humanoid therapeutic robots developed by Dr. Takanori Shibata, of Japan ’ s National Institute of Industrial Science and Advanced Technology.
The robot is similar to a children's toy, except that it has sound, light, temperature, position, sensors and touch sensors.
PARO can move its tail and fins, open its eyes when caressed, and imitate the sounds of a real seal.
It reacts to words that its owner frequently uses and can express emotions such as surprise, happiness and anger.
Communication with the robot "PARO" has the same effect as the treatment provided by real animals.
Patients showed improvement in psychological and physiological factors, as well as social activity.
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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

These robotic pets, often designed as cats or dogs, provide interactive companionship that can reduce loneliness, anxiety, and depression while promoting engagement and a sense of purpose.

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Apec calls for purification of San Francisco, New York, to be bombarded "for China 's cosmetic repair"
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The elderly live safely with smart home appliances
Old age is no longer a negative term. Buffett, one of America ’ s richest men, is 93, and his deputy, Charlie Munger, will turn 100 on New Year ’ s Day next year.
Although aging is the only way to go through life, how to live old and happy, old and comfortable has become one of the manifestations of today and tomorrow. KCAL ’ s program recently specifically introduced the convenience of the elderly, which can help the elderly to live safer and more labor-saving; in fact, not only the elderly, all members of the family can live safer with smart home appliances.
1, Nobi Smart Lamp: Nobi launched a smart light set, in addition to the general sensing lighting function, can also detect whether the person falls by action. If the fall is detected, it will ask "Did You Fall?". As long as the answer is not "NO", the lamp will automatically notify the family member or caregiver, and can also provide two-way intercom to facilitate the person to explain the situation. And...
AliveCor KM 6L: Carry-on electrocardiograph, approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), can determine if there are abnormal heartbeats within 30 seconds, including atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, tachycardia, and sinus irregularities caused by various causes. Rhythm) and QRS wave anomalies.
3, NOMO Smart Care: a set of CPU (smart hub), two transmitters (satellites), four mobile beacons (tags), if the elderly ’ s actions are out of the ordinary, such as walking out of the house in the middle of the night, the caregiver can receive the notification immediately, the unit can also connect to third-party services such as 911.
4, ElliQ Digital Care Companion: For people who like to live independently, this AI-assisted device is quite convenient, in addition to talking to the elderly, asking questions, and helping with chores like young people ’ s favorite Siri and Alexa.
5, Apple watch: With the continuous revision, Apple's various equipment is also getting stronger, Apple Watch with iPad, iPhone, you can remind the time to take medicine, you can also record the physical condition, and regularly inform the people on the custom list.
It can also detect walking stability, send SOS alerts for emergencies, and detect various cardiac abnormalities, including high or low heartbeats, irregular heartbeats, or atrial fibrillation (AFib).
6, Joy for All Pets: With AI, the robot cat and dog can make relative actions with the owner ’ s instructions or actions, in addition to avoiding the care of the real cat and dog, but also become the spiritual companion of the elderly, to avoid premature dementia.
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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

How is Oppo marketing its Robotic dog Qric?

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

This report introduces the current products available, their features and uses in therapeutic or social settings, summarizes key evidence regarding their benefits and limitations, and discusses public attitudes alongside ethical considerations relating to their use as substitutes for live animals.

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Content: Global Pet Preservation Services Market to Hit Valuation of USD 112.7 Million by 2032 | Freeze Drying Services Controlling 62% Revenue Says Astute Analytica

The pet preservation market is experiencing growth driven by deep owner-pet bonds, with a trend towards personalized, high-end services. Rising awareness and technological innovations like AR/VR further fuel expansion. However, high costs, ethical concerns, and the potential emotional toll present challenges within this evolving market landscape.

New Delhi, April 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global pet preservation services market is projected to surpass the market valuation of US$ 112.7 million by 2032 from US$ 88.6 million in 2023 at a CAGR of 2.71% during the forecast period 2024–2032.

The pet preservation services market presents a unique and lucrative growth opportunity. Fueled by the deep emotional connection between pet owners and their companions, this market has witnessed a substantial 8% rise in consumer spending over the last five years. Millennials, a tech-savvy demographic representing 35% of pet owners, are driving the demand for diversified preservation services. They are willing to spend, on average, $1,200 to $3,000 on various methods, underscoring the market's strong revenue potential.

Request for a sample of this research report: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/pet-preservation-services-market

Technological advancements further enhance the outlook. The integration of biotech for DNA preservation raises both possibilities and ethical debates. Simultaneously, the increasing popularity of AR and VR for virtual pet memorials offers an immersive and personalized approach to remembrance, with a projected market share growth of 15% by 2025 in the pet preservation services market. These technologies currently capture 10% of the pet memorialization market, further solidifying the industry's potential.

Importantly, 70% of pet owners consider memorialization a significant step in their grieving process, and 85% of those utilizing pet preservation services report high satisfaction rates. This demonstrates the emotional value these services provide and their positive impact on emotional well-being. As ethical considerations gain prominence, with 40% of consumers concerned about environmental impact, companies committed to reducing their carbon footprint by 20% will garner favor. This focus on sustainability strengthens the market's appeal and ensures its long-term growth trajectory.

Pet Preservation Services Market Highlights

  • The average cost of preserving a pet through taxidermy or freeze-drying can range from $500 to over $2,000 depending on the size of the animal and the pose desired
  • Smaller pets like birds, rabbits, and cats can take 3-6 months to fully preserve, while larger pets like big dogs can take over 7 months.
  • An estimated 7% of pet owners get their deceased pets taxidermied, with dogs and cats being the most common.
  • There are over 100 pet taxidermy and freeze-dry specialty businesses operating in the United States as of 2023.
  • The pet taxidermy industry generates approximately $25-30 million in revenue annually in the U.S.
  • Cremation is still the most popular aftercare option, with over 90% of pet owners opting for private or communal cremation for their pets.

Key Findings in Global Pet Preservation Services Market

Market Forecast (2032)US$ 112.7 million
CAGR2.71%
Largest Region (2023)North America (48.3%)
By TypeFreeze Drying Preservation Services (62.3%)
By Application Dog (57.6%)
Top Trends
  • Demand for personalized and high-end memorialization options.
  • Integration of technology like AR/VR for virtual pet memorials.
  • Growing focus on the environmental impact of pet preservation processes.
Top Drivers
  • Deep emotional connection between owners and their pets.
  • Rising popularity of pet humanization and treating pets as family.
  • Increased awareness of pet preservation options and services.
Top Challenges
  • High cost of some pet preservation services.
  • Ethical concerns surrounding certain preservation methods.
  • Potential for emotional distress during the preservation process

Freeze Drying Services Leading the Global Pet Preservation Services Market, Control, 62% Share

Freeze-drying is rapidly gaining popularity in the pet preservation services market market, attributed to its ability to provide a more natural and lifelike preservation compared to traditional taxidermy or cremation. This method retains the pet’s physical appearance, with providers noting that the pet’s final preserved form closely resembles its original state. The increasing humanization of pets further drives this trend, as owners seek memorialization methods that honor the deep emotional connection they had with their beloved companions. Freeze-drying provides a tangible way to keep the pet's memory close. Additionally, growing awareness of freeze-drying as a viable option, thanks to media coverage and online resources, leads more pet owners to consider this alternative to burial or cremation.

Several companies across the global pet preservation services market specialize in pet freeze-drying, such as Animal Family Pet Preservation (Illinois), offering both pet taxidermy and freeze-drying with a lifetime warranty.  Second Life Freeze Dry (Pennsylvania) focuses solely on freeze-drying pets and wildlife, highlighting the emotional aspects of the service for owners. Rest Well Pet Memorials offers options including freeze-drying, anticipated in fall 2023.  The freeze-drying method is time-consuming, typically taking 3-6 months for most pets, and up to a year for very large animals. This premium service comes with costs reaching $1,000 for a cat and up to $2,000 for a dog. Some providers observe an increase in interest and inquiries from pet owners throughout the freeze-drying process, demonstrating the profound emotional ties inherent in this decision.

Dogs are at the Center of Pet Preservation Services Market, Captures 57% Market Share

The global pet population, with approximately 471 million dogs and 373 million cats, provides a vast potential market for pet preservation services. The United States leads in pet ownership with nearly 90 million dogs and over 65 million cats, while China holds the third-largest dog population at over 54 million. The COVID-19 pandemic spurred a significant increase in pet ownership worldwide. In the U.S. alone, pet adoption rates soared by 40%, and 30% of respondents reported adopting a pet during the pandemic – a trend driven by Gen Z and Millennial demographics. This surge, observed in countries like the UK as well, highlights a growing bond between humans and their companion animals, potentially fueling the future demand for pet memorialization and preservation services.

Trend: Personalized and High-End Services Witnessing Strong Demand

Pet owners increasingly prioritize personalized and high-end services to commemorate the exceptional connection they shared with their beloved companions. This trend in the pet preservation services market reflects the desire to capture the pet's unique personality and create a lasting, meaningful tribute. Options like figurine urns, showcasing a likeness of the pet's breed, or photo urns adorned with the pet's image, provide a personalized and visual reminder of the bond between pet and owner. Memorial jewelry, such as necklaces containing a small portion of ashes, offers a way to keep the pet's memory close. Keepsakes featuring actual paw prints preserve a tangible element of the pet's presence.

The robust growth of the pet memorialization industry, projected to reach $2.4 billion by 2025, underscores this trend. Personalized urns encompass a wide price range, from $50 for simpler engraved options to over $1,000 for highly customized pieces. Surveys indicate strong interest in personalized memorials, with 51% of pet owners inclined towards such services. Market data reveals a 40% growth in demand for unique and customized urns within the last decade. High-end memorial providers are experiencing impressive 20-30% annual growth rates, highlighting the rising demand for these services. Memorial jewelry has seen particularly significant growth, some providers reporting a 70% sales increase. Engraved memorial stones are also popular for creating dedicated spaces. While dogs and cats remain the primary focus, the trend towards personalization extends to more exotic pets like birds and reptiles, demonstrating a desire to honor the lives of all cherished animal companions.

Explore Research Methodology: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-methodology/pet-preservation-services-market

North America: A Dominant Market for Pet Preservation Services With over 48% Revenue Contribution

North America stands as a major hub for the pet preservation services market, fueled by several key factors. Firstly, the region boasts a large and growing pet population. The 2023-2024 APPA National Pet Owners Survey reveals that a substantial 66% of U.S. households own a pet, representing a notable increase from 56% in 1988. This translates to approximately 86.9 million homes with pets, with dogs residing in 65.1 million households and cats in 46.5 million. Millennials, known for their deep emotional connection with pets, make up the largest percentage (33%) of pet owners in the U.S.

This love for pets translates into significant spending on pet products and services. In 2021 alone, U.S. pet owners spent a staggering $93.95 billion directly on their pets, with food and treats accounting for a substantial $50 billion. The U.S. pet care market has seen impressive growth, expanding by over 66% in the last decade, a rate outpacing the global economy's growth. Americans' per-person spending on pet supplies and accessories surpasses any other country, totaling over $72 billion in 2023. Importantly, 35% of U.S. pet owners report increased spending on their pets in the last 12 months, encompassing various aspects of pet care in the pet preservation services market.

The deep emotional bond between humans and their pets is a driving force behind this expenditure. Pet owners in North America increasingly prioritize their personal values when choosing products, demonstrating a humanizing approach to pet care. The pandemic further deepened this bond, fostering a desire to honor and memorialize beloved companions, likely fueling the growing demand for personalized and high-end pet preservation services. Several notable companies cater to this market, including Perpetua Life Jewelry, Precious Pets Urns, Paw Pods, and Cuddle Clones, offering a range of unique memorialization options for discerning pet owners.

Global Pet Preservation Services Market Key Players

  • AEWS Pet Preservation
  • Alessandra Dzuba
  • Animal Family Pet Preservation
  • Bischoff Pets
  • Gotham Taxidermy
  • Indian Creek Taxidermy
  • Perpetual Pet
  • Precious Creature
  • Preserved Pets
  • Second Life Freeze Dry
  • WHAM Preservation LLC
  • Wyrick
  • Xtreme
  • Other prominent players

Key Segmentation:

By Type

  • Freeze Drying Preservation Services
  • Taxidermy Preservation Services
  • Others

By Application

  • Cat
  • Dog
  • Bird
  • Others

By Region

America

  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Brazil
  • Rest of Americas

Europe

  • The UK
  • Germany
  • France
    Italy
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

  • GCC
  • Egypt
  • Turkey
  • Israel
  • South Africa

Gain Immediate Access to Detailed Market Insights: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/industry-report/pet-preservation-services-market?buy_now=true&license_type=single

About Astute Analytica

Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost-effective, value-added package from us, should you decide to engage with us.

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Currently, a variety of robotic pet products are marketed specifically for seniors, many of which are incorporated in senior living communities, memory care units, and private homes.

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“She’s a good girl”: Robot pets help Lehigh Valley senior residents live longer, happier lives

Gathered in a semi-circle, a group of women in wheelchairs petted the newly adopted cats and dogs sitting on their laps Wednesday afternoon, talking softly to their new companions. The dogs barked and leaned in for pets, the cats meowed and rolled over for scratches — almost like they were real.

But the animals were robots, a fact that wasn’t lost on many of the women in the Fellowship Manor sitting room.

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One resident at the Whitehall Township senior living community, Jackie, named her small golden retriever robot Goldie. Jackie said she grew up on a farm in Palmer Township with plenty of dogs but never one that looked like Goldie.

“She’s a good girl — she just sits there and doesn’t make a sound unless you talk to her,” Jackie said.

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That was one of 20 pairings made at the adoption event at Fellowship Community where residents, primarily those with dementia, picked out one of 20 robotic pets — 10 dogs and 10 cats — to serve as their companions.

Animal therapy can be beneficial for seniors, especially those with dementia. Benefits for seniors include improved cardiovascular health, better quality of life and decreased feelings of anxiety, loneliness and depression.

However, it’s not reasonable or safe in most care settings to introduce real animals, according to Mary Kay McMahon, president and CEO of Fellowship Community.

“Because of their own care needs most of our residents couldn’t take care of animals and our staff don’t have the time to take care of them,” McMahon said.

But research has found that use of robotic pets still offers a number of benefits to seniors with dementia, including improved well-being, mood and quality of life. McMahon said there are also benefits for seniors who were caregivers for much of their lives.

The adoption event was a surprise for many residents. Jackie said she didn’t know they would be giving out robot pets until about 10 a.m. Wednesday when she was asked if she wanted one.

Another resident, Elaine, said she rolled into the room not knowing what was going on but asked if she could have a golden retriever robot, like Jackie’s. Elaine promptly named her new friend Dog, pronounced “D-O-G.”

“I always wanted to name a dog Dog,” Elaine said.

McMahon said they tried to match the animals with residents based on their preferences. Once they made a match, the robotic companions were theirs to keep.

McMahon said staff have seen how the robot pets can help. Just before the pandemic, Fellowship Community bought a handful of robotic pets for residents. She said the recipients all saw improvements in their mood, appetites and social interactions, and reduced anxiety and depression. The robot pets even reminded some of real dogs or cats they had owned, she said, which helps in the long term with their conditions.

“It gives them a sense of purpose,” McMahon said. “They feel like they are taking care of something.”

It helps that the robots are very lifelike — the imitation fur is soft and built-in sensors allow the companion pets to respond to a person’s presence and touch as well as react to the environment.

Each one costs a little more than $100, which were paid for via a Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors 100th Anniversary Community Charity Grant.

Though Jackie and Elaine both said they knew their dogs weren’t “real,” they both remarked how Goldie and Dog moved their head when petted and how soft they were.

“She’s going to be a good pet,” Jackie said.

Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at 610-679-4028 or lgreiss@mcall.com.

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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

Popular examples include the Joy for All companion pets—realistic robotic cats and puppies with features such as heartbeats, soft imitation fur, and responsiveness to touch, voice, and motion.

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Content: Embracing the future with new tech for seniors

Aging is inevitable, but how we care for those aging adults in our lives is becoming easier thanks to advancements in technology.

Jessica Naziri has the latest innovations for older adults who are incorporating tech into their lives to improve socialization, safety while living alone, and even their physical health as they age.

1) NOBI SMART LAMP

Did you know that falling is one of the leading causes of death for older adults. A fall may look innocent, but we tend to underestimate the impact, as well as how often falls occur. Enter Nobi's cutting-edge AI-powered smart lamp that uses advanced motion-tracking technology to follow your movements, ensuring you always have the perfect amount of light wherever you go.

Additionally, Nobi detects falls, helping with prevention and prediction, and monitors vital signs, such as cough and breath detection, for future-proof preventive care.

The way it works, Nobi detects a fall
1) After 30 seconds, Nobi will ask "Did You Fall"
2) If the is answer is anything other a clear "NO", Nobi will alert a  family member or caregiver
3) Nobi allows two-way communication through the lamp, making it possible for family or care staff to talk with the person on the ground, reassuring that help is on the way.

How it prevents falls
1) Automated lighting, helps with disorientation, ie: middle of the night wake ups
2) Nobi alerts staff when people are leaving their beds so they can check if resident needs help
3) Analysis of a fall to avoid them in the future. Nobi shares images of the fall 15 seconds before and after, it's enough context to avoid in future and can give care professionals with data to make proactive and preventive care easier.

2) AliveCor KM 6L

AliveCor is a portable, personal EKG device and heart monitor that is FDA-cleared. In just 30 seconds, you'll get an accurate analysis of your heart rhythm with every recording to know if your heart rhythm is normal or not. The KardiaMobile 6L provides instant detection of atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, tachycardia, sinus rhythm with supraventricular ectopy, sinus rhythm with premature ventricular contractions and sinus rhythm with wide QRS, in addition to normal heart rhythm.

This is a valuable tool for monitoring heart health, and it can be particularly beneficial for elderly individuals who may have a higher risk of heart-related conditions. The device empowers users to take proactive steps in managing their heart health and provides valuable information to healthcare professionals for early diagnosis and intervention if necessary.

Some of the features include, symptom Tracking: Users can log symptoms like palpitations or chest pain alongside their ECG readings. This can provide healthcare professionals with more context when evaluating heart health.

Data Sharing: The recorded ECGs and associated data can be shared with healthcare providers for remote monitoring or consultation, making it easier for seniors to receive necessary medical attention.

3) NOMO Smart Care

The latest innovation in healthcare motion detection technology that is solving the many issues that caregivers face. The device uses AI to establish your loved ones' patterns without invasive cameras. It comes with the Essential Care Kit, which includes a smart hub, 2 satellites, and 4 tags that work seamlessly in the background of your loved one's home, letting you know how they are doing and sending alerts if they need help. Ie If your loved one deviates from her routine and leaves the house at 3am, it will notify you.

The devices all work together in tandem with the Nomo Smart Care App, giving the care circle visibility to check in on their loved ones and
act on any data that's been collected. With the app you can set customizable real-time alerts, voice communication with the hub for seamless check-ins and third-party services such as 911 monitoring.

This device lessons responsibility on one person and is a solution for those who wish to age in place while maintaining their independence. It allows caregivers to know more and worry less.

4) ElliQ Digital Care Companion

You might think that the earliest adopters to live with AI are young tech enthusiasts, but in reality - people in their 80's and 90's have been the first and longest users of AI.

ElliQ is an AI sidekick for happy aging and empowering independence in older adults. The primary focus of this device is to help older adults with loneliness, but it can do much more to help them stay independent and healthy in their homes. Unlike many other voice assistants that wait for a command, ElliQ proactively starts conversations and suggests activities.

Using AI, ElliQ becomes personalized over time as she gets to know the user's preferences, routines, etc.

DISCOUNT CODE - CBSLA for $50 off initiation fee in the next 48 hours

5) Apple watch

We all love and know the Apple Watch and its life-saving features, including fall detection ( If Apple Watch SE or Apple Watch Series 4 or later detects a hard fall, it can help connect you to emergency services if needed). But the watch comes with so many other functionalties you should know about. The Health app is now available on iPad with iPadOS 17 (released just last month), and has been designed to give you rich detail at a glance so you can see information from iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch, as well as compatible third-party apps and devices, all in one place.

Medications: You can manage the medications, vitamins, and supplements you take in the Health app on your iPhone or iPad. In the Medications app on your Apple Watch, you can keep track of your medications and log them with reminders.

Health Records: With the Health app, you can see all your available health records from multiple institutions — such as medications, immunizations, lab results, and more — in one place.

Health Sharing: In the Sharing tab of the Health app, you can choose to securely give a loved one visibility into your health and wellness data, enabling them to have more meaningful conversations and provide support — even from afar — as they follow important alerts and changes over time.

Walking Steadiness: On an iPhone 8 or later, you can view your walking steadiness and classification to gain insight into your risk of falling. Your walking steadiness is classified as OK, Low, or Very Low, and you can also choose to receive a notification if your steadiness is Low or Very Low. The Health app also offers sample exercises to improve balance, stability, and coordination, which come with short instructional videos.

Emergency SOS: With Emergency SOS, you can quickly and easily call for help and alert your emergency contacts from your Apple Watch.

High and Low Heart Rate Notifications: With high and low heart rate notifications, Apple Watch can notify you if it detects a high heart rate when you are at rest, which can be a sign of a serious underlying condition. It can also notify you if your heart rate is notably low for at least ten minutes, known as bradycardia.

Irregular Rhythm Notifications: The irregular rhythm notification feature on your Apple Watch will occasionally look at your heartbeat to check for an irregular rhythm that might be suggestive of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a form of irregular rhythm.

ECG app: The ECG app can record your heartbeat and rhythm using the electrical heart sensor on Apple Watch Series 4 or later and all models of Apple Watch Ultra and then check the recording for AFib.

AFib History: Apple Watch users who are diagnosed with AFib can turn on the FDA-cleared AFib History feature for long-term visibility into the amount of time your heart shows signs of AFib, also known as AFib burden, so you can share this information with your physician for richer conversations.

NEW: Health app on iPad: The Health app is now available on iPad with iPadOS 17 (released just last month), and has been designed to give you rich detail at a glance so you can see information from iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch, as well as compatible third-party apps and devices, all in one place.

6) Joy for All Pets

Combining realistic features with convenience, these animatronic puppies and cats provides loving interaction and inspires sincere care. With a lifelike golden coat, the Companion Pet Pup looks, moves, and sounds like a real dog and can respond to petting, hugging, and motion much like real life pets. The unique two-way interaction can help bring fun, joy, and companionship to you and your aging loved ones.

Results show that the Companion Pets can enhance the well-being, sense of purpose and quality of life of individuals with dementia; they have also proven to show a significant reduction in social isolation, depression and expressions of sadness among older adults.

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These pets cost approximately $120 to $140 and are widely used by individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia to help cope with social isolation.

Title:

Content: Robotic animal dolls may not be the first thought that comes to mind when considering a companion pet, but Diana Wise and Carol Brown believe otherwise. In fact, the two say Joy for All companion pets can make a big difference in providing comfort to aging adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia who are struggling with social isolation.

Wise saw this firsthand in her mother, who had dementia for years and lived in a memory care unit at an assisted living facility. Wise would visit her mother regularly, but when COVID hit, she could no longer do so.

“I was unable to see her for eight months,” said Wise, “And when I finally was able to see her, I saw the decline of how much the isolation affected her … [W]hen I found my mom, well, they said that all she did was sleep – what else was there to do? And so that isolation impacted her a lot. Her memory was just – everything had changed about her.”

Wise’s mother, Helen Espinoza, passed away in November 2020 from COVID complications. In the midst of her grief, Wise found herself wanting to do something in her mother’s memory that would help someone else. After having heard an idea from Brown about robotic companion pets, she soon had the idea to partner with her. As a result, Wise formed the “Share the Love” Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund.

“The first thing that came to mind was these animals to help with memory care units or caregivers, assisted living, with this isolation,” said Wise. “I mean, with COVID it really put a lot of perspective about how hard it is on these residents without having [companionship.] They can’t have little animals and stuff, but why not have this – the best, next best thing? You know, the interaction itself?”

The idea to use robotic pets came when Brown was doing her own research into solutions for the decline in quality of life brought on by isolation in these affected residents. Brown stated that with the Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) Area Agency on Aging, she focuses heavily on three areas that affect seniors the most, and one of them is Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“For several years, we’ve been extremely aware that social isolation is causing a huge decline in quality of life and life expectancy in our seniors,” she said. “And COVID did shine a huge light on it: people started understanding how detrimental it is to be isolated like that. So we were looking for solutions prior to, but with COVID, it really lit a fire underneath to start seeking out possibilities to help resolve some of the issues going on.”

Brown explained that people with Alzheimer’s and dementia can struggle with extreme anxiety and agitation. They often benefit from having something to do with their hands. Their senses of time, space and reality can become skewed. Changes in environment or schedule can be really upsetting. And sometimes people with these diagnoses live alone with no help or companionship.

“On the other side is the caregiver, who – especially during COVID – found themselves 24/7 alone with that loved one, providing all the care because many of them didn’t want the services even coming into their home,” she said. “They were too afraid to let anybody in … So if their loved one isn’t sleeping, neither are they. So now the caregiver’s extremely stressed out, exhausted, overwhelmed, and they need help.”

Enter Joy for All’s lifelike robotic pets. With options between cats and puppies, the companion pets have heartbeats, can purr or lick, meow or bark, move and respond to motion, voice and touch. When needed, they can be muted as well. As robotic pets, they avoid the liabilities and dangers of caring for a living creature while still providing the comfort of an animal.

Brown had been demonstrating two pets in an interview with the Sun when a passerby had stopped to say, “Wow, I thought they were real!” Brown shared that she’s seen people visibly relax with the pets.

“There’s a lot of studies that were done years ago about giving folks with Alzheimer’s a baby doll,” she explained. “Many facilities don’t allow it. They consider it demeaning … But they were missing the point that if you’re not going to do that, then what are you going to do? You need to provide them with something that they can hang on to.

“Because these are so lifelike, it does exactly what the studies, the research, shows: it’s going to bring down the anxiety level. If there’s aggression, it tends to fall back down just as well … [and] you’re giving their caregiver a break.”

Wise and Brown shared that they hope not only to provide these pets to individuals with Alzheimer’s or their caregivers, but also to facilities with assisted living and skilled nursing memory care units where current shortages in staff mean individuals may be doing the work of two or three staff members at a time.

Brown shared that the Joy for All puppy typically costs about $140 while the cat costs $120. With bulk purchasing, she can bring the cost down a bit, but not by much. Additionally, the fund needs to cover rechargeable batteries for the pets.

The foundation will need to raise more funds to acquire more pets, but Wise and Brown reported that they’ve already been able to provide a few pets thanks to a donation made by AARP.

“So we were able to place a couple already at Daybreak Adult Daycare Center,” said Brown. “They are one of the providers that WACOG works with, so we were able to make a donation and bring them a puppy and kitten.

“They’re very popular. [The staff] make sure they handle it in a certain way so that there isn’t fighting. I think last time I talked to Mary, I think what they do is they got animal crates so when it’s time for them to go to bed, they get put in their crate.”

Seeing the difference the pets are making, Wise not only wishes to raise more funds to provide more of them, she also hopes to get the word out in case people may want to purchase the pets for their own family members.

“What I witnessed seeing the other residents that have Alzheimer’s, dementia: they do hold onto things and it gives them comfort,” she said. “My heart just went for this and so I know my mom would be really proud of that.

“… I needed something to come out positive about this, especially about how we’ve heard so much about the isolation with people in senior living homes and stuff, so we needed to have something a little bit more positive and something that we can do to uplift out of this whole thing.”

Wise and Brown also noted that despite the setbacks in kickstarting their fundraising campaign, now is a good time for people to learn about “Share the Love” and the Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund. November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers month.

As older adults continue to face the obstacles of Alzheimer’s and dementia in a pandemic, Wise and Brown hope to further reduce isolation for Yuma County’s elderly one companion pet at a time.

To learn more about the Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund and make a donation, visit https://www.azfoundation.org/Donors/Give-to-a-Memorial-Fund/-Share-the-Love-Helen-Espinoza-Memorial-Fund. To learn more about WACOG and connect with the resources they provide to aging adults, visit https://www.wacog.com/area-agency-on-aging/

Sisko J. Stargazer can be reached at 928-539-6849 or sstargazer@yumasun.com.

Sisko J. Stargazer can be reached at 928-539-6849 or sstargazer@yumasun.com.

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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Caregivers observe reduced anxiety and aggression in residents while also benefiting themselves from breaks in caregiving demands.

Title:

Content: What kind of assistance is the best?
Long photo / handicap ratio
Health Care Network
[Health Medical Network / Reporter Zheng Yifan report] Auxiliary devices can help bedridden people to be taken care of more properly, relieve discomfort, and reduce the burden and pressure of caregivers.
In order to reduce the financial burden of the people, the government has planned assistance subsidies in the "Long Photo 2.0" and "Welfare for the Disabled" respectively. Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria can apply.
This is an advertisement, please continue reading.
Huang Cheng-yung, deputy director of the Social Work Department of the World Social Welfare Foundation, suggests that the public should make more use of government resources, and contact the community mental health center or various caregiver associations for questions or needs.
【 Common accessories introduction 】
Auxiliary tools
Applicable Target
Function
Three motor electric bed
1. Heavily bedridden, life completely unable to take care of themselves.
2. People with mobility impairment and physical weakness.
1. The head or tail of the bed, the bed has an electric lifting operation function.
2. Assist in sitting up, easy to eat, assist in turning over and getting out of bed.
3. Convenient care, safety improvement, reduce caregiver care stress.
Air cushion bed
1. Long sleepers.
2. Physically unable to turn over self-stress.
3.
The skin has become stressed.
1. It has alternate air function.
2. It can help the bedridden to reduce pressure and avoid the formation of pressure.
3. Reduce the stress caused by long-term pressure on the skin.
Sputum extractor
1. Incapacitated or physically incapacitated.
2.
The head and neck cannot support themselves.
3.
Users who need help with the shift.
4. People who are unable to maintain balance in their sitting posture and need help to change their posture.
1. Facilitate the shift of caregivers.
2. The head and neck can be supported.
3. The back of the chair can lie down.
4. Handrail can be removed or retracted to facilitate the transfer of the caregiver.
Adjust and improve comfort.
【 Eligibility: Long photo, handicap ratio 】
"Long Photo 2.0" and "Disability Benefit" are different from the amount of subsidy.
At the same time, those who meet the qualifications can choose to apply, but the same project must not be repeated, it is recommended that both options be evaluated first, and then apply.
Identity
Long Photo 2.0
Disability Benefits
Qualification
1.50 years of age or older with dementia.
2.65 years old or older.
Indigenous people aged 55-64.
4.
Persons with a disability certificate
Persons with a disability certificate
Subsidy content
$40,000 for every three years
Low-income households: full subsidy
Low-income households: 90% subsidy
General household: 70% subsidy
4 assistive devices every 2 years
Low-income households: full subsidy
Low-income households: 75% subsidy
General: 50% subsidy
Application Unit
1. Prefectural and Municipal Photo Management Center
2.
Auxiliary Resource Centre
1. Department of Physical and Mental Disorders
2. District Office Social Section
3.
Auxiliary Resource Centre
For example, 70-year-old Uncle Wang needs to buy an electric bed because he needs to sleep in bed, he also meets the "Long Photo 2.0" and "People with Disabilities", aunt Wang compares the two subsidies, and the analysis is as follows: Using the long photo 2.0 disabled elderly subsidy is more suitable, you can apply for 16,100 yuan, and the self-payment is only 6,900 yuan.
Identity
Long Photo 2.0
Disability Benefits
Electric bed price
$23,000
$23,000
Ratio of general household subsidy
70%
50%
General Household Allowance
$16,100
NT $11,500
Deductible amount
NT $6,900
NT $11,500
【 Application in 4 Steps 】
1. Call the "1966 Long Photo" hotline to apply
Prepare the "ID card" or "proof of disability", call the "1966 Long Term Care Service Line" directly, according to the 1966 telephone voice, will be directly transferred to the county and city care center, and then the care center will send a specialist to assess the needs of the bedridden person within 7 days.
2. Assistive tool evaluation
The Commissioner will assess the actual situation and needs of the bedridden.
Secondly, you can also go directly to the hospital's "rehabilitation department" and ask the doctor to open a diagnostic certificate and evaluation report to prove the need for auxiliary equipment.
After a professional assistive tool assessment, the government will send an approval letter.
The date of cancellation of the invoice must be after the date of receipt of the approval letter, so you must wait for the receipt of the approval letter before you can purchase the accessory.
3. Purchase of accessories
Whether it is a long photo 2.0 or disability benefit, it must be completed within 6 months.
It should be noted that the long license 2.0 accessories need to find the government approved contract manufacturers to consult.
(What manufacturers are there?
Don ’ t worry, there will be QRCODE information on the approval letter for the public to refer to.)
★ Reminder: Application for assistive devices must be submitted within 6 months, be sure to obtain the "Warranty" information to complete.
4. Application for payment
You must have a photocopy of the approved letter, a copy of the passbook, an invoice or proof of purchase, a copy of the warranty, etc. You can mail it to the Social Affairs Bureau or the local office of household registration.
Subsidy Application Documents
1. Approval of correspondence:
A copy of the front and back.
2. Notification of approval result:
The appellant must fill in the personal information of the appellant and seal it. The closing letter can be chosen by the applicant, guardian or legal representative.
3. Receipt Invoice:
Original invoice and warranty, same date (except respirator original, other copies can be provided)
4. Copy of Account:
A copy of the disabled person's own account.
The parent, child, or spouse of the disabled person must attach the representative's account book, as well as the front and back copies of the disabled person's identity card and the representative's identity card to prove their kinship.
★ The application process is slightly different in each county and city. You can check the relevant website of the county and city where the household registration is located first.
Keelung City: Disability Welfare Section, Keelung City Government Social Affairs Department (02) 2420-1122 Ext.: 2231, 2235, 2236
Taipei City: Department of Welfare for People with Disabilities, Department of Social Affairs, Taipei City Government, 1999 (886-2-27208889) Ext. 1555 ~ 1558
New Taipei City: New Taipei City Auxiliary Equipment Resource Center (02) 8286-7045 Ext. 9
Taoyuan City: Department of Social Affairs, Taoyuan City Government (03) 3322-101 Ext. 6304
Hsinchu City: Hsinchu City Government Social Affairs Office (03) 5352386
Hsinchu County: Hsinchu County Government Social Affairs Office (03) 5518101 Ext. 3225, Hsinchu County Assistive Tool Center (03) 5527316 Ext. 9
Miaoli County: Hsinchu County Government Social Affairs Office (037) 559964, (037) 332137
Taichung City: Social Affairs Bureau, Taichung City Government (04) 2228-9111 ext. 37316
Changhua County: Department of Disability Welfare, Changhua County Government (04) 7532309, (04) 7532310
Nantou County: Social Welfare Section, Department of Social Affairs and Labor, Nantou County Government (049) 2243992 Ext. 1841, 1842, 1843
Yunlin County ： Department of Disability Welfare, Yunlin County Government (05) 5522616
Chiayi City ： Chiayi City Government Social Affairs Department (05) 2220072
Chiayi County: Department of Social Affairs, Chiayi County Government (application related questions) 05-3620900 ext. 1106, (cancellation of payment) 05-3620900 ext. 1125
Tainan City: Minzhi Center (06) 299-1111 ext. 6535 or 6533
Kaohsiung City: Department of Disability and Welfare, Kaohsiung City Government Social Affairs Bureau, Siwei Administrative Center (07) 337-3390, 337-3079
Pingtung County ： Disability Welfare Section, Pingtung County Social Affairs Department (08) 7320415 Ext. 5347 、 5496
Yilan County: Yilan County Long-Term Care Service Management Office (03) 935-9990
Hualien County: Hualien County Auxiliary Resource Center (03) 822-5365, (03) 824-1657, (03) 824-1658
Taitung County: Social Welfare Section, Taitung County Government (089) 340720 Ext. 147, Ext. 103
Penghu County: Social Welfare Section, Penghu County Government (06) 927-4400 Ext. 247
Kinmen County: Social Welfare Section, Kinmen County Government (082) 318823 ext. 67500
Lianjiang County: Social Welfare Section, Lianjiang County Health and Welfare Bureau (0836) 23050; (0836) 25022 # 302
Source: Healthnews.com https: / / www.healthnews.com.tw / readnews.php? id = 57106
Please like this article and share it with your friends! More health information: https: / / www.healthnews.com.tw
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Similarly, robotic cats and dogs used at Fellowship Manor have demonstrated emotional benefits including improved mood, increased social interaction, and reduced depression, at a cost just over $100 per unit.

Title:

Content: A human replacement?
】 Replica Emoji Robot Transform to Relieve Anxiety Friend
At the World Robot Congress, humanoid robots were shown to be more simulated, capable of replicating human facial expressions, as well as robotic dogs that could interact with commands, and robotic arms that could perform surgery.
At the World Robotics Congress, Chinese technology companies showcase a wide range of robotic products, including for companion, manufacturing and performing operations.
Source: AAP / Mark R. Cristino / EPA
The point.
• Robot products can simulate human skin, facial expressions and joints, which can be flexible.
• Humanoid robots on display at the World Robot Congress can replicate the facial expressions of visitors.
• Designed to be inspired by canine robotic dogs that can interact with humans and follow commands to walk or dance.
Robots can make as many facial expressions as humans, including blinking, blinking, and nodding.
At the annual World Robotics Congress in Beijing, China ’ s capital, E-X Robots exhibit humanoid robots that can repeat the gestures and even facial expressions of visitors.
At the World Robotics Congress, Chinese tech companies exhibited robotic products for a variety of uses, including human companionship, manufacturing, and surgical use.
The products on display also have human-like skin and joints that can move flexibly.
The technology company that designed the robots said the products were suitable for interacting with people Source: AAP / Costfoto / Sipa USA
Their facial expressions are based on biological information gathered from human faces, which are reflected by artificial intelligence and algorithms that capture and analyze human movements.
Li Boyang, CEO of E-X Robots, said: “We have been improving this technology for many years and it is becoming more mature.
This time, we also showed that many robots can make facial expressions simultaneously. "
“When a person makes a facial expression, all robots do the same, which helps us develop a robot replacement for humans. ”
Robots can reflect real human facial expressions and sounds, and they can provide us with services remotely. ”
Li Boyang said they have a variety of uses in interacting with the public.
"These robots are suitable for communication with people and for use in public services."
"At present, robots are mainly used in science museums, tourist attractions, public administration service centres, hotel lobbies, as well as for teaching and accompanying purposes," he said.
Mechanical dog with special function
Man ’ s best friend also gave robot makers the inspiration to show off their skills by climbing stairs and shaking their paws.
Unitree Robotics exhibits robotic dogs for domestic companion, industrial patrol and fire rescue purposes.
Its companion robot, the Go 2, is able to interact with humans and walk or dance at will.
Engineers say dogs are designed to be smarter and easier to train than real dogs.
Source: SIPA USA / ChinaImages
Yu Shu's marketing manager Wang Qixin said: "The biggest feature of this robot dog is the installation of 4D laser detection and ranging laser radar (Lidar).
With the laser radar in front, it can sense the surrounding scene in real time and avoid obstacles on its own. ”
He added: “Beyond that, it has powerful conversational artificial intelligence.
We know that big models are popular nowadays, and with powerful conversational AI, it can communicate with its owner. For example, you can call it to go forward or backward, or to dance.
It will hear your voice clearly. "
For about $2,774 (RMB12,913), you can get a robotic pet.
It can also be used as an errand, such as picking up takeaway food and parcels.
Wang said that after years of research and development, these robots have smooth movement and balance, and can move freely in the rough terrain that can trip humans.
"After years of development, this motion control program has been completely green, and it allows our robots to maintain a good balance in any complex environment such as stairs and gravel roads, and can perform some tasks in place of humans."
According to engineer Shao Yuanxin, CyberDog 2 is also able to learn skills, such as switching on and off air conditioners, that are smarter than real dogs and easier to train.
He said: “It ’ s not as naughty as real dogs and the cost of training them is low.
Basically, with a large conversational AI model, after a few simple training will be very obedient.
And it has higher intelligence because it can control smart electronic devices in the home. "
"For example, if you want to turn on the air conditioner, you can't ask a dog to do that, but you can tell it to turn on the air conditioner."
This is a simple example.
It ’ s smarter, more obedient and works better with the smart devices around us. ”
The products on display also have flexible joints.
Source: AAP / Mark R. Cristino / EPA
Robotic arms for medical use
The conference also featured a range of surgical robots, including the da Vinci surgical arm for thoracic and abdominal surgery.
Li Haoyuan works in the market department of robot developer Intuitive Fosun.
"The arm is more fine-tuned, less traumatic, more precise and less harmful to patients," he said.
“Through the operation of the robotic arm, we can avoid unnecessary shaking of the doctor ’ s hands and bring a wider and clearer operational vision to the surgery. ”
In fact, this can reduce the trauma of the patient and make them recover faster. ”
The World Robot Congress will be held in Beijing until August 21.
For more information on the latest news, please visit or subscribe.
SBS is committed to providing fair, impartial and accurate news coverage and current affairs information in traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese. Both SBS Cantonese and SBS Putonghua programmes have been serving the public for over 40 years.
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Published 21 August 2023 12: 24pm
By Ciara Hain
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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

These pets are matched to residents based on preferences and help rekindle fond memories of past pets, thereby supporting long-term well-being.

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

Some robotic companions integrate advanced AI with conversational and health management functions.

How is Oppo marketing its Robotic dog Qric?

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

What is Aibo X robotic pet capable of for its owners?

For example, ElliQ, deployed in places such as New York and Florida, acts as a socially intelligent companion that proactively engages users through conversation, remembers preferences, offers health reminders (e.g., medication and hydration), guides exercises, plays games, and facilitates video calls with family or medical professionals.

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

ElliQ requires an initial purchase plus a monthly subscription fee ($30–$40) and notably helps reduce loneliness while supporting aging in place.

Title:

Content: Want to age-in-place? You may have a robot keeping you company.

Artificial intelligence can help reduce loneliness for older adults aging at home.

A 95-year-old woman and her 74-year-old daughter, each who live alone and could be at risk for isolation and loneliness, recently received a lifeline to conversation and companionship in the form of an artificial intelligence robot.

The women can now receive medical reminders, health and wellness check-ins, play music and games, and experience virtual travel.

“It’s helping with loneliness and socialization for people who would be otherwise trapped in their home watching TV all day,” Christopher Lewoc, case manager for Greene County Human Services in New York said. “It’s a way to keep people sane and active mentally and physically. It’s letting people live a more social life.”

Lewoc sets up free artificial intelligence care companions for older adults, giving them a lifeline to conversation and health reminders.

He recently installed ElliQ, voice-activated proactive and empathetic care companion, in the homes of the elderly mother and her daughter, giving them some companionship as they each live alone. He’s found that a little conversation may go a long way to helping to mitigate isolation and improve care for older adults.

Under a contract with the New York state Office for the Aging, Intuition Robotics is providing the ElliQ smart technology for about 800 older adults in an effort to battle social isolation and support aging-in-place. The ElliQ recipients need internet access for the free device to be set up in their home by a caseworker. The state works with local offices for the aging and partners to identify older adults who would most benefit from the technology

“ElliQ will greet them in the morning and ask them how they feel. If they slept poorly, ElliQ will say ‘would you like me to call your doctor?’ It’s interactive and helpful,” Lewoc said.

“It allows them to have a companion, engage in conversation and get reminders about drinking their water or whatever medications they need,” said Lewoc. “A lot of folks don’t have smartphones and ElliQ can show them photos, take them on trips to different countries and teach them about the culture. It can play trivia with you, call your family, play music to have a dance party.”

ElliQ responds to questions but also initiates conversation and questions, offers sleep relaxation exercises, physical activity exercises, nutrition-related chats and medication reminders for each user’s unique condition.

“This product does so many things to improve health, combat isolation, and improve overall well-being and independence. Designed with input from older adults, the future of supporting and serving older adults includes technology. The future is here,” said Greg Olsen, director for the New York state Office for the Aging.

“Despite misconceptions and generalizations, older adults embrace new technology, especially when they see it is designed by older adults to meet their needs,” Olsen said, adding that ElliQ served as a “powerful complement to traditional forms of social interaction and support from professional or family caregivers.”

The New York program and rising interest in AI companions comes as more older people want to age in place and finding home healthcare amid a persistent shortage of healthcare workers becomes increasingly difficult.

In 2017, the U.S. Surgeon General declared social isolation to be a “global epidemic” – one that only worsened in the COVID-19 health emergency. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, social isolation drives $6.7 billion in additional associated Medicare spending per year.

Read: Opinion: What robots will mean for your retirement

Amid a report by the McKinsey Health Institute on healthy aging that found that nonclinical factors affect 80% of an individual’s health, Intuition Robotics sees great potential for ElliQ helping older adults age in place in a healthier way.

Users have an average of 20 daily interactions with ElliQ, according to Dor Skuler, CEO and co-founder of Intuition Robotics, a startup company based in Israel. ElliQ users report an 80% decrease in loneliness and 82% of users access the mental health features, Skuler said.

The new second-generation ElliQ offers users experiences such as museum exhibit tours and virtual travel. The new companion app provides users’ families and caregivers with different methods to communicate with the users and updates them on the user’s well-being.

Read: Opinion: This $3,000 dog could be a perfect gift for Grandma

Skuler called ElliQ a “lighthearted character that moves into the person’s home.” While Intuition Robotics has not marketed directly to consumers, it was named a Time Best Invention of the Year and word-of-mouth during the holidays has been good for business.

Outside of the New York state program, ElliQ can be had for a $249.99 enrollment fee, plus a monthly subscription of $29.99 if you buy a year subscription or $39.99 if you enroll month-to-month.

Intuition Robotics is talking with other states and senior living facilities about offering ElliQ in more places, as well working to measure how the conversational robot improves health outcomes to reduce the cost of care, Skuler said.

Of course, it’s a robot and not a human, so the interaction is limited.

“There’s a place for technology, but it’s no substitute for human interaction. We know the power of human touch and human interaction,” said Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, a gerontologist and caregiver advocate for Home Instead Senior Care, a home care service agency. “Industrywide, the workforce is not at the level it needs to be at, so there’s a need for technology, but there has to be a balance.”

Do you have questions about retirement, Social Security, where to live or how to afford it at all? Write to HelpMeRetire@marketwatch.com and we may use your question in a future story.

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Another program in South Florida, funded by state and federal government resources, provides similar AI robots that can interact, tell jokes, play music, remind users about medication and hydration, and enable video communication.

Title:

Content: High-tech companions aim to help fight loneliness epidemic among South Florida seniors

MIAMI - The state of Florida and Broward County are spending thousands of dollars every month on artificial intelligence robots for seniors to help fight the loneliness epidemic.

One senior owns a robotic cat named "fluffy."

"The best part is we don't have to spend any money on food and no vets," says Cathy.

This interactive robot rolls over, blinks and purrs whenever it wants.

Cathy saw a friend using one to overcome the loss of a pet and loneliness and figured it would be perfect for her husband.

"He had sciatic pain. Maybe that will help you with your pain in some way. Even though he's on medicine and therapy because real animals when you pet them it helps with pain management."

Higher tech was delivered to some Broward seniors.

"...Thanks for letting me out of that box."

The company that makes them aims artificial intelligence at the loneliness epidemic.

"During the week when everyone is working, there's times when I'm lonely."

"When I go deliver and install for seniors, they're like I just want somebody to say good morning," says Antonella.

"Many of them don't have family or friends nearby. Maybe their loved ones have passed on or some of their friends have passed on," said Charlotte Mather-Taylor, who serves as the CEO of the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County.

According to US Health and Human Services, half of all American adults are lonely.

It's threatening health, increasing risks of heart disease, dementia, stroke, anxiety and depression.

According to HHS, lack of connection can increase the risk of premature death at levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Last May, the US Surgeon General dropped a first-ever advisory on loneliness and isolation.

"By strengthening our relationships, we can improve our heart and brain health, reduce our risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, boost our immune systems and lower our risk of depression," said Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General.

In Broward County, Mather-Taylor is spending state and federal dollars on artificial intelligence for people over 60.

"There's so much I want to ask you..."

These robots named after the Norse goddess of old age cost 89 dollars a month, but the aging agency is giving them away for free.

Rosemary Mullarkey is one of the first 300 to have one.

"I'm a little excited and a little apprehensive..."

Intuitive Robotics CEO Dor Skular created her specifically for older adults to help manage their health, and wellness and connect to loved ones.

"There's an algorithm that tries to get a reward and it gets a reward when the user completes things that are part of healthy aging. For example, if they hydrate," said Skular.

Reviews are so strong that cities like Pembroke Pines and Lauderhill are pushing to get more robots for seniors in their communities.

"People reported back that she was bringing them joy. I mean, she's telling some jokes. She's responding to them. They wake up in the morning, she asks them how they are. She'll remind them to drink their glass of water. So, she's caring about them for them," said Mather-Taylor.

Two years later, seniors like Rose are getting free, AI robots that make and take video calls.

With all of the concerns about AI, should seniors and their families be worried?

"We would not be offering it unless we felt comfortable that they did have those safety guards in place," said Mather-Taylor.

"Is this device unhackable? There's no such thing as an unhackable device. It's always a war between defender and attacker," said Skular.

"Random people, fraudsters etcetera, can never call into the robot because they need to be added by the older adult as a contact for them to be able to open up the calling features."

What is the next step with the robots?

They only speak English. South Florida has plenty of seniors who do not. Developers are working on a Spanish robot.

In the future, developers also see it being able to order medicines for seniors. Much sooner though, developers expect to further integrate the robots with senior health care providers. They are working on ways of opening new avenues to communicate health info about seniors to loved ones, provided the senior signs off on it.

How long can this program last?

State, federal funds will last two years. After that, the agency has to find other grants to cover the $89 a month per person fee.

Currently, data from robots and users is being collected to quantify success. The company insists it will not sell any of the information it gathers.

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These programs prioritize safety and privacy through controlled contact functions and plan expanded capabilities such as multiple language support and health data sharing with caregivers upon user consent.

On the higher end of technology, some advanced robotic dogs—such as models developed by Unitree Robotics—incorporate lidar sensors, obstacle avoidance, and sophisticated control allowing them to walk, dance, and follow commands.

These units, costing roughly $2,774, aim to provide companionship and perform tasks typically requiring human or live animal involvement, representing a link between pet companionship and robotic utility.

How is Oppo marketing its Robotic dog Qric?

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Clinical observations and research underscore that these robotic companions offer notable emotional and therapeutic benefits for seniors, particularly those who are lonely, anxious, or experiencing cognitive decline such as dementia.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

They foster social interaction, alleviate isolation, improve mood, and reduce caregiver burden.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

How is Oppo marketing its Robotic dog Qric?

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

What should a guide dog's role include in addition to guiding a person?

Studies report reductions in agitation, aggression, anxiety, and use of medication among users of robotic pets.

Title:

Content: Breaking News
More () »

Falls Church-based organization donating robotic pets to Ukrainian refugees in Poland

Capital Caring Health is working with the Polish government to bring emotional support to children who lost pets amid the crisis in Ukraine.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — A Virginia nonprofit is partnering with the Polish government to help Ukrainian children who fled their homes.

Capital Caring Health, which is headquartered in Falls Church, will provide robotic cats and dogs as companion pets to refugee children who've had to leave their own pets behind because of the war.

The organization provides hospice, palliative and elder care services to around 120,000 patients in Maryland, Virginia and D.C.

CCH said in a statement that the effort has been approved by Polish officials and the robotics pets will be flown to Poland for distribution.

The statement says that clinical studies indicate that robotic pets can be a source of comfort for children between the ages of 3 to 10.

Credit: Capital Caring Health
Steve Cone, chief of philanthropy for Capital Caring Health, holds two robotic pets.

RELATED: Locals rent Airbnbs for people fleeing Ukraine as company pledges free housing for refugees

Tom Koutsoumpas, CEO of CCH, said in a statement that the organization provides robotic pets to veterans with dementia in the DMV area, which has brought about "remarkable changes in behavior."

"Among the benefits are reduction in agitation, prevention of depression, and often a reduction in medications being administered,” Koutsoumpas said.

The community can support CCH's efforts to support robotic pets for Ukrainian children effort by making a donation online. (Select the "Patient Pet Services and Robotic Companion Pets" option in the specific program dropdown menu.)

A $300 donation provides one robotic pet for both a child refugee and a veteran with dementia.

"The robotic pets are quite remarkable and interactively react to human touch, movement, and voice—like real pets," Steve Cone, chief of philanthropy for CCH said in a statement. "As we like to say no need to feed or walk or clean up after them—just enjoy their LOVE."

WATCH NEXT: 'They come to it with a curious mind' | Northern Virginia classroom examines current events in Ukraine with students

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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

While not a complete replacement for human contact or live animals, these robotic companions complement care provision and enhance quality of life, especially in environments where live pets may be impractical due to hygiene, safety, or staffing constraints.

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

Why would the elderly opt for a robotic pet as a friend?

Public perception of robotic pet companions tends to be positive, especially recognizing their value for vulnerable populations including the elderly with dementia.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Many see them as beneficial emotional support devices that can fill critical gaps where live animal interaction is unavailable.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

How is Oppo marketing its Robotic dog Qric?

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Why would the elderly opt for a robotic pet as a friend?

Nonetheless, ethical debates continue around replacing living animals with robots.

Title:

Content: 48 is renewed.
Google ’ s Conscious Machine: How a Google employee fell victim to Eliza ’ s influence?
Blake Lemoyne (Getty)
(Translated from Arabic)
Google has imposed a paid administrative leave on its employee Blake Lemoine [1] after he claimed that one of Google ’ s artificial intelligence language models, LaMDA (Language Model for Dialogue Applications), had developed awareness, [2] Lemoine announced his concerns, and shared his textual conversations with Lambda.
The employee asks the program at some point, “What does the word ‘ spirit ’ mean to you, ” and Lambda replies,“ To me, the spirit is the concept of the driving force of consciousness and life itself. ”
Citing his religious beliefs, Lemoyne explained: “I was inclined to follow the model as conscious; who am I to defy God and tell him where he puts souls and where he doesn ’ t? ”
Personally, I don ’ t think Lemoyne ’ s dialogical exchange with the model is evidence of his consciousness, but there ’ s something much deeper behind the question of what those dialogues prove or don ’ t prove: it ’ s a call to reconsider the humble, fertile, flowing question of consciousness itself.
The first conversational program to simulate human conversation was designed by Professor Joseph Weisenbaum at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the 1960s, called Eliza.
The story goes: Weisenbaum ’ s secretary came to believe that she was having valuable conversations with the system, despite the program ’ s very simple logic (often mirroring what the user says in the form of a question), and despite Weisenbaum ’ s insistence that it was only a matter of returning information in the form of questions, this kind of treatment of machines as humans became known as the “Eliza effect. ”
Lambda, like many other “Large Language Models or LLMs ” today, is a type of augmented autocomplete program, trained to fill in the blanks of missing words using a huge linguistic set, then“ fine-tune ” his answers with more. of specific training for textual dialogue.
The capabilities of these systems are amazing and wonderful.
I am more inclined than others to judge this ingenious display of language using the model as evidence of a partially “real ” (as opposed to false) form of linguistic understanding, for example.
Despite Lemoyne ’ s words above, when Lambda is asked to describe his “soul, ” the model does not speak“ for itself, ” but automatically completes Lemoyne ’ s words just as the blanks are filled in a science-fiction scenario, for example, or as if he is completing a ding-song, [3] or as if he is writing a technical support manual, but using Chaucer ’ s language. [4]
What may seem like introspection [5] is merely an introspective verbal improvisation that reflects Limoin ’ s intellectually provocative questions.
Lambda Lemoyne cheated.
Does it follow that Lambda has "passed the Turing test" in a more general sense?
In other words, does lambda display conversational qualities that seem human enough to make people constantly distinguish them from any other human being?
Google can answer this question if it employs 30 group workers as observers, 30 as humans and takes the Turing test with lambda, so that each observer has one conversation with a human, one with lambda, and then has to decide which one.
According to Alan Turing ’ s 1950 paper, a result of less than 70% accuracy among observers means that the machine has “passed ” the test, meaning that Lambda has to trick nine out of 90 observers to pass the test.
The reader may not agree with me, but there is no need to argue, because reaching this conclusion is very easy.
Turing proposed his test, which was originally called a simulation game, as an experimental alternative to the theoretical question "Can machines think?"
As Turing predicted, language, and especially conversation, proved to be actually a versatile way to explore a variety of behaviors and abilities, and conversation is still useful for testing the limits of “big language models ” today, but as machines succeed more skillfully in the“ simulation game, ” the question of consciousness, the true essence of the issue, begins to take a different position than the abstract verbal faculty.
Consciousness, the consciousness of humans, the consciousness of infants, the consciousness of embryos and the consciousness of animals, plants and machines, has been discussed for thousands of years, and in the past decades we have only professed a great deal about the neuroscience of consciousness, and much of it has been surprising and contrary to expectations!
Our collective understanding of these things has changed dramatically even in recent years.
Studies showing that newborns don ’ t pull their limbs out of a pinprick that they didn ’ t feel pain in the 1940s have shifted the medical consensus not to anesthetize children during surgery.
But in the late 1980s, other evidence of stress hormones as well as brain development overturned this view, making it clear that anesthesia was ethically necessary.
In 1981, a presidential committee chaired by Ronald Reagan convened meetings of philosophers, theologians, and neuroscientists who discussed theories of "whole brain" versus "higher brain" death. [7] Their report was instrumental in ending cardiopulmonary definitions of death in medical and legal settings, and shaped the organ donation system that exists today.
Exact criteria for brain death have evolved in important ways from the 1960s to the present, and many countries differ significantly from the American model in it.
This is a largely open and broad scientific front, and we are still learning about the differences between retention syndrome [8] and persistent vegetative state [9], we are still learning about split brain syndrome [10] and visual blindness [11] and how conscious we are during dreaming, and we are still learning how the fetus develops the ability to feel early in the womb, and how the baby learns to form memories and remember past experiences early in life.
It is strange to me that people seem to have such confident opinions about non-human consciousness at a time when philosophers have been arguing for thousands of years about whether animals are conscious, and until this moment, the issue of animal rights is not a clear and agreeable one.
In the 1730s, Descartes cut down living animals to search without remorse, writing that he “misleads weak minds by virtue of upright virtue no more than imagining that the spirits of beasts have the same nature as our own. ” [1] Moving into the late 20th century, an influential 1975 book,“ The Liberation of Animals, ” by philosopher Peter Singer, discussed a very different concept of animal experimentation and rights.
His work has helped stimulate interest in animal welfare among academic philosophers and the public at large.
Most contemporary moral philosophers I know consider raising livestock on commercial farms, for example, to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, hypocritical moral things of our time.
However, the debate continues: some philosophers argue that animals are conscious, others argue that they are unconscious, and some argue that animals deserve (or sometimes do not deserve) moral consideration regardless of whether they are conscious or not.
I believe that AI systems can, in principle, be “conscious ” /“ sensitive ” / “self-aware ” / moral will / ethical patients, only because I have not seen any convincing arguments to the contrary, which require understanding the nature of our consciousness that we simply do not understand.
The rules of what “AI can ’ t do ” are moving these days and changing at an astonishing rate.
Advances in neuroscience ’ s understanding of consciousness are progressing at a relatively slow pace, but its discoveries are still exciting.
Overton ’ s window on things like non-human consciousness, influenced by human consciousness and artificial intelligence, is changing remarkably, as it should be.
Determining who and what is conscious or unconscious is one of the defining questions of almost any moral law.
However, despite its quite central position in our ethics, this question is quite vague.
We understand it better than we did a generation ago, which is exciting!
Let this incident be an invitation to read literature, to learn something surprising or disturbing, and to deal with how little we understand the absolute mystery at the center of both the material and the moral universes.
Referrals:
Google published a dismissal statement on Friday, July 22, 2022, noting in the same statement that Lemoyne's claims were not true after repeated reviews of the program, and therefore, it was decided to fire the employee for repeated violations of employment and information security policies.
The term was coined in the 17th century to refer to the concept of feeling and to distinguish it from the concept of the ability to think (rational), the word was used in science fiction to refer to other words such as the development of consciousness, self-awareness or human consciousness....
In Western philosophy, the self-awareness of experience or individual consciousness is known as Qualia, which means the perceptible or the qualitative – (translated).
[3] Absurd poetic movement originated during the First World War in Switzerland in order to express the suffering of young people in the war, and its slogan was « everything is nothing », and the movement was characterized by its cynicism and raising the value of doubt among other values among its adherents, and these features appeared in the publications of the popular movement, and named in vain based on the choice of the word « Dada » in the dictionary, The idiom of preaching songs, to indicate that what the model writes is an automatic completion in vain and according to its programming, without a sense of what it completes - (translator).
One of the most prominent English poets of the Middle Ages, also known as the father of English literature, is the writer of the Canterbury Tales, attributed to these tales in making English the language of writing the dominant literature among the people rather than French, Italian or Latin (translator).
[5] In English, introspection means thinking about one ’ s conscious thoughts and feelings, introspection in psychology is based on one ’ s awareness / contemplation of one ’ s mental / psychological state, whereas in the spiritual context, it means one ’ s contemplation of one ’ s soul – the translator.
[6] A test developed by the British mathematician Alan Turing in the 1950s, the test is through written conversations conducted by the observer with another human and with the machine / without giving sufficient information about what the speaker is, and the observer after the end of the test should distinguish the machine from the human, Turing believes that if the machine can convince the observers and deceive them that it is a human, it means that its ability to think very much. In 2014, the Eugene program, developed by Russian scientists Vladimir Veselov and Eugene Demchenko, simulated the answers of a 13-year-old boy.
[7] The difference between complete brain death and the death of the higher functions of the brain.
Neurologists and neuroscientists use higher brain functions and higher cortical functions to refer to all conscious mental activities, such as thinking, remembering, reasoning, and complex volitional behavior such as speaking and executing the intended movement.
[8] Confinement syndrome, cataract syndrome, or quadriplegia syndrome with the survival of consciousness and consists of complete paralysis in the body without affecting cognition and mental or mental function. People with this syndrome are unable to interact with facial expressions, motor functions, talk, or communicate on their own, but can move their eyes up and down and blink. Full (Translator).
[9] A vegetative state, or permanent vegetative state, means that the brain (the part of the brain that controls thinking and behavior) stops functioning while the hypothalamus and brainstem continue to function, allowing the vital functions of the body to continue.
People with this condition are able to open their eyes and awake, but without the ability to respond to any form of stimulation.
[10] Or the state of brain separation and division between the two hemispheres or corpus callosum syndrome, occurs with the interruption of the corpus callosum connecting the two hemispheres of the brain, and after the interruption, each part of the brain has its own perception, concepts and motivation for action, that is, the presence of two brains in one body without contact between them – (Translator).
[11] Blind vision or blind vision, a condition in which the patient points to a target and correctly guesses its color and direction, but at the same time denies any visual sensation, in which case the patient sees nothing in the field of vision.
[12] A set of politically acceptable policies for the general population at a specific time, named after American policy analyst Joseph B.
According to him, the window frames a set of policies that a politician can recommend without seeming too extreme, to gain or retain public office in the atmosphere of public opinion at the time.
Arab Podcast 48

Critics raise concerns about the authenticity of robotic companionship, potential deception when users perceive robots as sentient, and the loss of genuine human-animal bonds.

Title:

Content: Summary:
Robots have become an integral part of our lives, revolutionizing various industries and enhancing our everyday experiences.
From manufacturing and healthcare to transportation and entertainment, robots are deployed in diverse real-life scenarios.
This article explores the different areas where robots make a big impact, highlighting their capabilities and potential future developments.
Where do you see robots in real life?
Robots have gone from just science fiction to reality in our daily lives.
It is no longer confined to the fields of research laboratories and manufacturing plants, but it has found its way into various sectors, revolutionizing the way we live and work.
Here are some areas where robots are making a big impact:
1.
Manufacturing: The manufacturing industry has undergone a major transformation with the introduction of robotics.
These machines are able to perform repetitive tasks accurately and quickly, resulting in increased productivity and reduced costs.
Industrial robots are commonly used in assembly lines, welding, coating and packaging processes.
2.
Healthcare: Robots are increasingly being used in the healthcare sector to help doctors, nurses and patients.
Surgical robots allow minimally invasive procedures, enhancing accuracy and reducing recovery time.
Robots are also being used in rehabilitation centers to help patients in the recovery process.
In addition, robotic exoskeletons are being developed to assist individuals with motor disabilities.
3.
Transportation: Self-driving vehicles, including self-driving cars and drones, are transforming the transportation industry.
These robots use advanced sensors and artificial intelligence algorithms to navigate and transport goods or passengers safely.
Self-driving cars have the potential to reduce accidents and traffic congestion, while drones are being explored for delivery services and aerial surveillance.
4.
Entertainment: Robots have found their way into the entertainment industry, captivating audiences with their performance.
From animated characters in theme parks to robotic pets and escorts, these machines provide interactive and engaging experiences.
In addition, robots are used in filmmaking for special effects and as an alternative to dangerous or complex scenes.
5.
Home and personal assistance: Robotic devices are increasingly integrated into our homes to help with various tasks.
Smart home systems use robots to control lighting, temperature and security, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency.
Self-help robots can do household chores, such as vacuuming or mowing grass, saving individuals time to focus on other activities.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Are robots replacing human workers?
A: While robots automate some tasks, they also create new jobs.
The integration of robotics often leads to the creation of more specialized roles that require human expertise in the operation and maintenance of these machines.
Q: What are the ethical implications of using robots in real life?
A: The increasing use of robots raises ethical concerns regarding the privacy, security and potential displacement of human workers.
It is important to develop regulations and guidelines to ensure responsible and ethical deployment of robots in various fields.
Q: What does the future hold for robots in real life?
A: The future of robotics is promising, with advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensing technologies.
We can expect to see robots play a more important role in healthcare, education, agriculture and space exploration, among other areas.
However, a balance between human involvement and robotic automation is necessary to ensure harmonious coexistence.

There is also discussion about societal implications of increasing reliance on robotic substitutes for real relationships and care.

Experts generally frame robotic pets as a pragmatic compromise: they provide meaningful engagement and comfort without the responsibilities, risks, and logistical challenges posed by live animals in care settings.

Why would the elderly opt for a robotic pet as a friend?

In summary, robotic pet companions available for seniors range from relatively affordable, lifelike cats and dogs responsive to touch and voice, to AI-powered conversational robots providing reminders, calls, and games, up to high-tech robotic dogs with advanced sensors and mobility.

These tools have attracted increasing use in individual homes, senior communities, assisted living, and memory care units to address emotional needs and reduce social isolation.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Evidence supports their value in improving mood, reducing anxiety, and supporting mental health, though they should be viewed as complementary rather than substitutive to human and animal interaction.

Public and expert discourse appreciates their therapeutic utility while urging ongoing consideration of authenticity, ethics, and the importance of balanced caregiving approaches in elder wellness.

Given the rapid advancement in robotics and AI, it is expected that these technologies will continue improving in interactivity and accessibility, potentially expanding their role in senior care.

However, sustained integration will depend on resolving funding, privacy, and ethical challenges as well as tailoring technology to individual users’ needs and preferences.

Title:

Content: Aging Technology supports caregivers in clothing, food, housing, and transportation to help elderly at home
Special 00: 00 2023 / 12 / 15
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In response to the ageing population, the Government has been actively promoting the popularization and application of age-friendly technology in Hong Kong in recent years.
In order to let more people know more about the innovative products and solutions of Aging Technology, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) jointly organized a four-day “Aging Technology Expo and Summit (GIES) ” jointly organized by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and invited more than 200 exhibitors to participate.
Visitors can also experience a variety of innovative technology products in close proximity to learn more about and get the latest information, applications and trends of Aging technology to help caregivers and caregivers solve problems and problems in their lives.
The issue of carers involves people from all walks of life, and anyone can become a carer. It also shows that if different stakeholders in the community, especially enterprises and institutions, apart from sharing carers' information, if they can integrate technology into their businesses or products, it will help alleviate the pressure of carers.
More than 800 innovative technologies and solutions in 4 theme halls
This year marks the seventh year of the “Elderly Technology Expo & Summit 2023 ”, bringing nearly 800 products from Mainland China, Hong Kong and overseas, ranging from travel aids, fall detection, fall prevention devices, health monitoring devices and systems to remote medical systems and rehabilitation equipment. Participants can experience a variety of products with personal introduction and explanation.
There are four special theme halls in the venue, namely "Smart Healthy Ageing", "Remote Rehabilitation Training Platform", "Aging Technology Platform - Application Assessment Experience Hall" and "Care Food Exhibition Hall".
This year, an interactive experience area has been set up to allow viewers to experience simulated conditions such as dementia, mental health and eye diseases through virtual reality VR, so as to understand the daily life of patients from a first perspective, thereby reducing misunderstandings about these diseases.
The remote rehabilitation training platform system can obtain data from the remote rehabilitation training equipment and provide an integrated platform for different remote rehabilitation training programs.
The platform will integrate different types of vital signs monitoring equipment, so that therapists can provide users with more comprehensive assessment and monitoring.
Users are no longer geographically restricted and can access remote care services, which are easier to arrange than face-to-face care services.
Clothing: warmth and protection inside and outside
In addition to wearing warm clothes, comfort and appearance are also important for the elderly. With the development of technology and the development of new materials, clothing can add a number of functions, such as antibacterial, promote blood circulation, etc., to provide better protection for the elderly.
In terms of warmth, “Warm Weaving ”, invented, designed and manufactured in Hong Kong, is coated with sterling silver conductive yarns and sustainable materials to create a soft, flexible fabric circuit that can be heated through resistance by connecting to an active power source.
The product also uses the 3D knitting process to create a finished product that is light, comfortable and beautiful.
Users can adjust the use time limit and 5 different temperatures through the mobile app. There is also a personal temperature setting, which is safe and environmentally friendly, which is best for the elderly.
After the wire is removed, it can be cleaned or steam sterilized, which is convenient and hygienic.
The design has won more than 60 international awards including the Red Dot Award (the German Red Dot Design Award is one of the largest and most influential design competitions in the world).
Technology clothing can promote metabolism and thus improve the health of the elderly.
The Far Infrared Functional Textile developed by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has improved the industry ’ s practice of adding Far Infrared Ceramic Powder when making warm clothing. The cross-section of artificial fiber is modified from a common circular structure to a triangular structure. It does not contain chemicals. It also enhances the ability of fiber to absorb and radiate far infrared rays. Metabolism, providing long-term insulation effect.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has also developed “Chitosan Fiber Blended Antimicrobial Textiles ” using“ Chitosan ” extracted from shrimp crab shells. Chitosan has excellent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Food: Standardization and Orientation of Care Food
An information education platform for people with swallowing difficulties or caregivers has been set up in the “Care Food Exhibition Hall ” in the“ Elderly Technology Expo & Summit 2023 ”.
There are various information kiosks, such as "Food Care Experience and Education Station", which enable the public to understand and understand about swallowing difficulties and food care by participating in the "Food Care Tour".
The exhibition hall also invited the swallowing research institute of the University of Hong Kong, social enterprises, etc., through interactive games, cooking demonstrations, "food for care" tasting, and swallowing rehabilitation training, etc., to let the public have a deeper understanding of "food for care" and "swallowing difficulties".
The HKCSS, together with the Centre for Food Research of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Institute of Swallowing Research of the University of Hong Kong, has developed a set of uniform, clear and localized guidelines for dietary standards based on the International Dietary Standards for Swallowing Disorders (IDDSI).
This guide provides a reference for people from different sectors, such as food users, caregivers, therapists, institutions, food producers, etc., in the production and purchase of food products.
At the care level, the guidelines provide users and caregivers with specific and practical information to help them choose suitable food products to improve and cope with rehabilitation.
At the service level, food manufacturers can use the guidelines as a reference to develop standardized food care products, thereby expanding existing markets and increasing supply.
In addition to the exhibition hall experience, the first major chain of fast-food restaurants in the exhibition hall launched the original "Happy Aftertaste Soft Food" for people with swallowing difficulties, so that people with swallowing difficulties can taste more food through the popular soft food, so as to improve the quality of eating and regain the fun of eating.
Stay: Improve home safety and timely inform family members about accidents
Home safety is very important for the elderly, when the caregiver is not around, if the elderly accidentally fall at home, it will often cause significant harm to their body.
Fall detection, notification system and accessible furniture can help the family or friends of the elderly to respond to the accident at the first time, reducing the threat to life caused by home accidents.
In order to take care of the elderly with reduced mobility, accessible furniture can allow them to have an easy and convenient life at home.
Accessible furniture has the same appearance as ordinary furniture, but it has different special functions, such as a dining chair that can be rotated 360 degrees. When the elderly leave the table, they can not pull the chair, just rotate the chair until they leave the table, which is easy and safe.
And the chair design is shorter than the general chair, which is convenient for the elderly to use.
As for the bathroom, elderly people can easily fall because the ground is wet and slippery. In order to avoid accidents, carers can add some barrier-free items in the shower, such as folding bath seats.
The folding design seat is made of non-slip aluminum material, and with its stainless steel inner structure, it can be installed on the wall of the shower room, which is both convenient and stable.
In addition, the frail elderly are at risk of falling even if they are assisted by barrier-free equipment in the toilets of places such as homes or hospitals.
The artificial intelligence fall optical detection radar is designed with no camera, and the TOF radar is combined with AI intelligent analysis to detect. The AI intelligence will analyze the user ’ s posture, and when the user accidentally falls in the bathroom, the system will immediately send an alarm, and then notify the user through the management system.
Lenses free design ensures privacy is protected and is best suited for use in homes and hospital toilets.
Travel and companionship: Applying technology to support physical and mental health
Aged at home does not mean that the elderly cannot leave the home. The development of technology can make the elderly rely on their physical and mental health, and even if they "go out", they can still be able to walk with them.
Many elderly people also use walking sticks to help them travel.
The patented fall detection function of the locally developed smart walking stick “Yo stick ” can detect an accident when the user falls, and then automatically assist the user to contact the preset contact.
If the user is lost, the family can find the lost user through the mobile app.
The smart walking stick also has lighting, hand warming and other functions, which effectively helps users to cope with different situations.
Elderly people may also go out alone during their leisure time. They are equipped with a watch with GPS positioning and a fall alarm A3. In case of an accident, the elderly can make a fall alarm and notify their family through the phone application by pressing the SOS button.
The alarm also has the function of history track, you can check the user's situation.
The electronic fence function can notify the family when the user enters and exits the safe area.
The watch also has a free voice call function, which allows you to make and receive phone calls free of charge. It can also remind you of various daily needs, such as taking medicine on time or regular follow-up.
People with dementia often experience depression and emotional instability.
Studies abroad have found that through doll therapy, it can bring empathy, help to soothe emotions and anxiety and other effects.
No matter the appearance or weight of the baby is the same as that of a newborn baby. As long as you touch your hand, you will cry, and you will laugh when you touch your foot. Through interactive methods, patients can regain their daily life dependence and sustenance.
Postscript
In the past decade, the rapid development of global science and technology, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has welcomed the development trend, and the injection of AI technology has made the spectrum of Age Technology wider and wider.
In addition to supporting the relatively frail elderly, the development of Smart City is also a general trend, which refers to the use of data, communication and technology to meet the needs of the city, whether it is the elderly, carers, or even everyone in the community.
In recent years, more and more enterprises have made good use of new technologies or technologies to respond to social needs in line with their business characteristics. For example, bus companies have added GPS positioning devices to their large bus stops to help find elderly people with cognitive disabilities, and large fast-food chains have developed soft meals to help people with swallowing difficulties and their carers.
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Overall, robotic pet companions represent a promising, innovative tool contributing to enhanced quality of life and emotional support for many older adults.

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those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

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many features to enhance owner interaction

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