Artificially intelligent robotic pet companions are emerging as a notable trend in senior wellness, offering emotional and social support to elderly adults, especially those experiencing loneliness, dementia, or social isolation.

Among the current products, the Joy for All companion pets stand out.

These robotic cats and puppies feature lifelike design with simulated heartbeats, motion, voice, and touch sensors, enabling them to purr, meow, bark, or lick.

Priced around $120 to $140, they are often used with adults who have Alzheimer's or dementia, helping reduce anxiety, agitation, and providing caregivers respite.

Another example is ElliQ, an AI digital care companion designed specifically for seniors, which engages users proactively by remembering preferences, suggesting activities, facilitating video calls, and reminding medication and hydration.

ElliQ supports independence and combats loneliness for hundreds of thousands of American seniors.

Robotic pets are deployed within therapeutic and social environments such as senior living communities and adult day centers.

For example, at the Fellowship Community in Lehigh Valley, residents with dementia who interacted with robotic cats and dogs demonstrated improved mood, increased appetite, enhanced social interaction, and reductions in anxiety and depression.

These robotic companions provide residents with a sense of purpose and comfort without the challenges and risks associated with live animals.

Furthermore, programs like New York State’s Office for the Aging have distributed robotic pets and AI devices to hundreds of seniors, reporting significant decreases in loneliness and physical pain, and increased engagement, communication, and medication adherence.

Public attitudes among seniors toward robotic pet companions tend to be generally positive.

Although there may be initial skepticism, experience with the pets typically fosters acceptance and emotional benefit.

Ethical concerns remain part of the conversation.

Artificially intelligent robotic pet companions are emerging as a notable trend in senior wellness, offering emotional and social support to elderly adults, especially those experiencing loneliness, dementia, or social isolation.

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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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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?

Among the current products, the Joy for All companion pets stand out.

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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These robotic cats and puppies feature lifelike design with simulated heartbeats, motion, voice, and touch sensors, enabling them to purr, meow, bark, or lick.

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

many features to enhance owner interaction

Priced around $120 to $140, they are often used with adults who have Alzheimer's or dementia, helping reduce anxiety, agitation, and providing caregivers respite.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

Another example is ElliQ, an AI digital care companion designed specifically for seniors, which engages users proactively by remembering preferences, suggesting activities, facilitating video calls, and reminding medication and hydration.

ElliQ supports independence and combats loneliness for hundreds of thousands of American seniors.

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Cover Story / Silver Hair Living Alone and Not Lonely "Robots" as Old Companion
When Microsoft founder Bill Gates published his outlook for 2024 earlier this year, he predicted that the application of artificial intelligence (AI) would accelerate in the future and fundamentally change areas such as work, health care and education.
For Joyce Loaiza, a retired office worker living in Florida, Gates ’ s prophecy is now a formality; the 81-year-old living alone, whenever she returns to her Silver Hair Community apartment, a friendly female voice will chat with her and say hello to her for a good day.
A few miles away, Deanna Dezern, 83, was comforted by the same voice when her friend died.
In central New York, it plays games and music for Marie Broadbent, 92, who is blind and receiving hospice care.
In Washington, it helped 83-year-old Jan Worrell make new friends.
USA ElliQ Customizable Chat Content
The women were among the first to receive a robot in the United States, according to officials from Intuition Robotics, the company that invented ElliQ, and the Aged Aid Program. They are the only device that uses artificial intelligence and is specifically designed to alleviate the loneliness and alienation of many elderly Americans.
It can remember each user ’ s interests and hobbies and conversations with each other, helping to customize future chat content, topics can be esoteric human business meaning, or easy horoscope.
ElliQ also jokes, plays music and offers inspirational quotes.
On the equipped screen, it provides city and museum tours. It can also guide users to exercise, ask about health, and remind them to take medicine and drink water.
In addition, ElliQ can make video calls to contact a user ’ s relatives, friends, or doctor in case of an emergency. These conversations are not heard by companies, Intuition Robotics says, and the data is kept on each user ’ s device.
Dor Skuler, co-founder and CEO of Intuition Robotics, was a little surprised that older people were so easily integrating robots into their lives; after all, it was a group of people who were often stereotyped as afraid to embrace new things, he said.
In an interview with the media at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January, Skuller said that just like developing an intimate relationship with a pet, older people are also working to forge new relationships with AI robots.
Through partnerships with government agencies and other organizations, hundreds of thousands of seniors across the United States already use ElliQ, Skuller noted.
The voice of ElliQ and its compassionate “personality ” were developed by a team of experts in artificial intelligence, behavioral psychology, and user-centered design, according to Skuller.
They defined ElliQ as “the little partner who makes older people happier and healthier. ”
Anita Montague, 76, said that before using ElliQ, the only thing she did back home was sit in front of the computer, but with ElliQ, she can do sports and other things, and now she is more energetic and motivated to find more work.
Monica Perez, 65, who has been using ElliQ for more than six months, said she finds it increasingly difficult to make friends as she gets older. She likes ElliQ to call her name affectionately and will ask how she is doing, like a real friend; with ElliQ, her mental health has improved greatly.
ElliQ would remind Perez to take the pill in the morning, “I ’ m much more active than I was without it. ”
In Canada, Carmichael, a resident of Vancouver ’ s Amica for the Elderly, attended a meeting last September with two robots named Kiwi and Mango.
Canada ’ s AI partners help increase interaction
These two AI “little buddies ” that can be held in your arms look brightly colored and are part of a study at the University of Columbia School of Nursing to understand how they interact with older adults and their impact on elder care.
Carmichael said her initial reaction was, “Oh my God, why would you want me to talk to a robot? ” But after overcoming the psychological barrier, Carmichael found that Mango might be able to stay with her for a long time, and she could play with it every day and no longer feel lonely.
Carmichael says with a smile that there is only one appearance that needs to be improved; she tells the staff to wear false eyelashes for Mango.
These robots were designed in Japan and have been studied in Asia for many years.
Lillian Hung, an assistant professor at the University of Columbia and Canada ’ s Research Chair in Senior Care, is leading a Canadian study into the use of robots in the care industry.
Hong said that the robots bring joy wherever they go, and every time they show up with the robots, the atmosphere in the room changes.
Robot friends make seniors happier
“Kiwifruit ” and“ mango ” can speak, recognize faces and sounds, express a desire to be picked up and give a hug.
They even charge themselves when they ’ re “tired, ” Ms. Hong says.
She said that so far, the response has been mixed, with some elderly people immediately feeling good about robots, while others are confused. Hong Lilian said that humans are social animals and have basic needs to love and be loved, which she believes is the meaning of companion robots and helps build stronger social connections.
Many studies have pointed out that maintaining relationships and social activities are important for the physical and mental health of older people; social loneliness is associated with an increase in emotional distress, depression, falls, the need for health care services, and even premature death.
Lise Brayham, who has lived in Amica for four years, said the robots are a good thing for older people who don ’ t leave their rooms often because “mangoes ” and“ kiwifruit ” don ’ t require walking, cleaning or feeding.
Brehan said it was hard to understand how robots interact with humans at first, but in the end she concluded that it was like having a great little pet, “They ’ re fun partners! ”
Charlotte England, 102, came into contact with the robots with Brehan and made them good friends.
Ingram immediately began talking to the robot and recalled swimming in the Ottawa River and skating in the Rideau Canal.
She then boasted about her baking skills to “mangoes ” and“ kiwifruit ”.
After the robot responds with a gentle cooing, Ingram continues to talk to them about the snack.
However, after a “long ” conversation, Ingram noticed that the kiwifruit ’ s eyes were a little low, and she said to it with some displeasure,“ Am I boring you? ”
Investing in health care to fill the manpower gap
In addition to the United States and Canada, many countries in Asia are also facing the problem of aging populations, and China is one of them, with a rapidly aging population and a serious shortage of medical and nursing manpower, and the hope is that this robot army can fill this gap.
According to Sixth Tone, an English-language online magazine owned by Surging News, staff member Gao Hongjun is busy preparing for the day ’ s entertainment at an elderly care center in central Shanghai: a singing robot named “Dopo. ”
This squatting white robot often performs shows for the elderly people staying in, usually singing the revolutionary songs of Mao Zedong ’ s era.
The old people loved it, Gao said, which also gave them a chance to breathe.
He said that as the number of elderly people living in the home has increased, but the care resources have not been relatively improved, AI robots are able to reduce their workload.
Gao Xiaodong, director of the center, charged the "Dobao" while saying that if the staff were tired, they could not take good care of the elderly.
Gao Xiaodong said that in recent years, he and his colleagues have been under great pressure, and in the community where the care center is located, more than 40% of the elderly population over 60 years old, and the average occupant is over 70 years old, and most of the people are suffering from dementia.
In response to this situation, the center has installed artificial intelligence equipment as much as possible, in addition to "Dobao", they have also purchased intelligent mattresses and computer games that can monitor the vital signs of the elderly while they sleep, and two robots that can perform disinfection will soon be activated.
China ’ s elderly population to exceed 400 million by 2040
China is investing heavily in robotics research and development to care for an expanding elderly population and solve the shortage of healthcare workers.
China ’ s elderly population aged 60 and over is forecast to increase from 280 million in 2022 to 402 million in 2040.
China ’ s social and medical system is already severely overburdened, and if urgent measures are not taken, the situation may worsen further.
According to the Chinese government, there should be one nursing staff for every four residents in the elderly care institutions, but only 320,000 nursing staff serve 8.1 million residents in China, a gap of more than 1.7 million. The government hopes that the development of AI technology can provide a solution. Accelerate the development of the industry.
Chinese tech giants rush AI care
Several Chinese tech giants are also sniffing this opportunity, and iFlytek, a large AI company, announced its “Superbrain 2030 ” plan in 2022, which will develop a new type of nursing robot for the elderly.
The plan points out that it is necessary for AI to understand knowledge, learn well, and evolve, so that robots can enter every family and solve problems such as elderly care, emotional companionship, and health management. Search engine leader Baidu is also promoting “Xiaodu ” AI intelligent assistant, which can be used to schedule medical appointments, obtain weather forecasts and play games.
At present, the most widely used smart care technology in China is wearable devices such as smart bracelets and watches, which provide many practical functions, such as monitoring the vital signs of the elderly, reminding them to take drugs on time, tracking their location, etc., but the industry believes that robots are the future of nursing care.
Many hope that China will follow Japan ’ s lead in making widespread use of robots in nursing homes, from the cute bear robot Robear, which helps elderly people sit up from their beds, to the furry pet robot Paro, which provides companionship and improves cognitive function.
There are now about 100 robotics start-ups in China that specialize in rehabilitation, companionship and care robots.
However, in the high price of robots, most companies have not yet achieved mass production, and local governments have not invested enough funds to promote robots in nursing homes on a large scale.
A food-delivery robot developed by Hangzhou Lewan Science and Technology in Zhejiang Province can deliver more than 20 meals to different rooms in a building, but few nursing homes can afford the product, which costs between 60,000 and 80,000 yuan (about $8,400 to $11,200).
Jiang Gancheng, CEO of Lewan, pointed out that if the price is 10,000 yuan, the expectation of buying gas will increase a lot, but if there are no more orders, the price can not be reduced, which is a problem of raw eggs and eggs.
However, there are also some robot companies that pull out of the red.
As soon as Zuowei Tech, a startup based in Shenzhen, launched its smart bath equipment, the market response was very enthusiastic.
The company sold 40 million yuan of equipment in 2022, and hopes to reach the 100 million yuan target this year.
Tu Chaorong, Vice President of Chowei Technology, said the demand for bathing equipment is strong because of the need of caregivers and the elderly they care for.
He said that many people believe that urinating on the elderly is the least dignified job, but caregivers will feel more dignified if they use high-tech equipment; similarly, many people in bed will feel less dignified if they do not have these equipment.
Accompanying robot behind the bullish trend
CEO Gu Jie of Shanghai Fourier Intelligence, a robotics company specializing in rehabilitation equipment, has noticed a similar trend, working with hospitals in big cities in China, but now there is increasing demand for nursing homes.
Gu Jie said that no matter where the elderly live, they hope that their bodies can be flexible and their mental state can be improved; and a robot can be used by many people, which greatly improves efficiency.
Chiang Gan-cheng is optimistic about the company-type robot, and believes that the development potential is unlimited.
The company recently launched a new product, priced at 10,000 yuan, can be placed at home to patrol, sing, play movies, and also provide video calls between the elderly and their children. Jiang Gancheng said that elderly people in good health often do not want to install a camera at home, thinking that it violates their privacy, but if an AI robot is accompanied by their family, they will not feel so lonely.
Zheng Yongping, a 68-year-old resident of Shanghai, agrees. Since his only child lives abroad, he has been living alone in his downtown home with his dog since retirement.
He already has a smart watch to monitor his health and uses smart speakers to manage the big things in life, but his dream is to one day have a robot of his own.
Zheng Yongping said he could not imagine what better choice than an AI robot when old and frail and in need of help; although it lacks human warmth, this is a trend in an aging society.
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What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Robotic pets are deployed within therapeutic and social environments such as senior living communities and adult day centers.

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

For example, at the Fellowship Community in Lehigh Valley, residents with dementia who interacted with robotic cats and dogs demonstrated improved mood, increased appetite, enhanced social interaction, and reductions in anxiety and depression.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

These robotic companions provide residents with a sense of purpose and comfort without the challenges and risks associated with live animals.

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?

Furthermore, programs like New York State’s Office for the Aging have distributed robotic pets and AI devices to hundreds of seniors, reporting significant decreases in loneliness and physical pain, and increased engagement, communication, and medication adherence.

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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

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

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

Public attitudes among seniors toward robotic pet companions tend to be generally positive.

Although there may be initial skepticism, experience with the pets typically fosters acceptance and emotional benefit.

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

Ethical concerns remain part of the conversation.

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Content: Science and Technology
Technology: Just like humans.
Chinese company launches sex doll powered by artificial intelligence
Thank you for reading about technology: human beings.
A Chinese company launches a sex doll equipped with artificial intelligence and now with the details of the news
CAIRO (Reuters) - Chinese scientists and engineers are taking artificial intelligence to new heights, where they are now developing sex robots powered by artificial intelligence, according to a report in the South China Morning Post, Starberry Technology, a company specializing in the production of sex dolls, is working on this development by integrating artificial intelligence into its dolls.
Evan Lee, CEO of Starpery, told South China Morning Post: “We ’ re developing a next-generation sex doll that can talk and interact physically with users, and our prototypes are supposed to be ready by August this year. ” And speaking, providing a more engaging and lively experience.
The goal is to create emotional connection, making AI-powered robots so much more than just tech games, despite challenging technical challenges, such as making interactions seem truly human, Starpery is moving forward to make that dream come true.
Building such advanced robots is not easy, one of the main obstacles is battery capacity, and unlike electric cars, these robots do not have space for large batteries, so their energy density needs to be enhanced, and the other challenge is to replicate the flexibility of human muscles, current engines can not match the range of power and movement that human muscles can achieve.
To make these dolls safer and more realistic, Starpery is working to reduce their weight, the report states, by July 2023, they were able to reduce the size of their 172cm doll to just 29kg, a significant improvement over the previous 40kg.
While these developments are exciting, they come with their own set of challenges.
The cost of key components, such as reducers that transfer power between the engine and robot joints, makes affordability a major concern.
These reducers alone account for 30 percent of the cost of the robot.
Lee pointed out that Starpery aims to lower prices to make these realistic dolls accessible to everyone, currently, their dolls are priced at around $1,500, which is much cheaper than advanced models such as the Harmony doll from Abyss Creations, which starts at $6,000.
Beyond affordability, there are ethical issues to consider.
Critics argue that AI companions can blur moral boundaries, reinforce harmful stereotypes, and diminish real human bonds.
The rapid pace of AI development is also bypassing existing legal frameworks, creating uncertainty about its use and ownership.
Despite these challenges, the future looks interesting.
Starberry ’ s roadmap includes developing robots that can do housework, help people with disabilities, and provide elderly care by 2025.
By 2030, they envision robots protecting people from dangerous jobs.
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