Artificially intelligent robotic pets are increasingly marketed as emotional companions for elderly and socially isolated individuals, offering lifelike features and interactive capabilities designed to provide comfort and reduce loneliness.

Notable products include the Joy for All Companion Pets, which are robotic cats and puppies tailored for aging adults, including those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

These pets feature realistic movements, heartbeats, purring, barking, and respond to touch and voice, providing comfort and reducing anxiety and agitation without the responsibilities of live animals.

They are widely used in memory care units and assisted living facilities, with costs around $120–$140 plus battery expenses .

Other innovations include the ElliQ robot, which engages older adults in conversation, offers health reminders, suggests activities, and facilitates social interaction, with users reporting an 80% decrease in feelings of loneliness .

The Wehead AI Companion Robot, showcased at CES 2024, can hold human-like conversations and remember past interactions, while Amazon Astro integrates with Alexa Together to provide home monitoring, reminders, and remote caregiving support .

Therapeutically, robotic pets are used to reduce anxiety, agitation, loneliness, and depression, especially among those living alone or in care facilities.

Their lifelike features and interactive responses offer emotional support and a sense of purpose, particularly for individuals who have previously cared for animals .

In New York, over 31,500 animatronic pets have been distributed to isolated seniors, with 70% reporting reduced loneliness and 75% experiencing less pain .

Intergenerational programs and adoption events further enhance social engagement and mood among participants .

Public attitudes are generally positive, especially among seniors who appreciate the companionship and low maintenance of robotic pets.

Artificially intelligent robotic pets are increasingly marketed as emotional companions for elderly and socially isolated individuals, offering lifelike features and interactive capabilities designed to provide comfort and reduce loneliness.

Notable products include the Joy for All Companion Pets, which are robotic cats and puppies tailored for aging adults, including those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

These pets feature realistic movements, heartbeats, purring, barking, and respond to touch and voice, providing comfort and reducing anxiety and agitation without the responsibilities of live animals.

They are widely used in memory care units and assisted living facilities, with costs around $120–$140 plus battery expenses .

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Cure For Loneliness? Robotic Pets Going Out To Thousands Of Socially Isolated NYers

Call it four-legged companionship without the need for potty training.

Thousands of animatronic pets are on their way to older, socially isolated New Yorkers in an effort to combat what experts describe as a crisis of loneliness.

The state’s Office for the Aging (OFA) announced Sunday, June 3, that Rhode Island-based Ageless Innovation is delivering another 4,725 robotic pets and games to elderly adults through New York State’s aging network.

Since 2018, OFA has distributed more than 31,500 of the plush, lifelike pets, which are designed to make realistic sounds and movements, to those assessed as socially isolated and lonely.

A pilot study conducted in 2018 found that 70 percent of recipients reported a reduction or significant reduction in loneliness, plus a 75 percent decrease in pain.

The state’s intergenerational game project, Joy for All, includes Scrabble Bingo, Trivial Pursuit Generations, and Game of Life Generations. Through a partnership with Hasbro launched in 2023, the games have been tailored to an older crowd by featuring larger fonts and intergenerational gameplay and storylines.

“We’ve initiated multiple innovative solutions, bolstered by technology, to connect people, provide companionship, and significantly reduce isolation and its consequences,” said OFA Director Greg Olsen. “Proudly, I can say data shows our efforts are working and exceeding expectations. “

Studies have shown that social isolation and loneliness put older adults at an increased risk of a number of health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, depression, cognitive decline, and even death, according to the National Council on Aging.

Learn more about New York’s Animatronic Pet Initiative, including eligibility, on the Office for the Aging website

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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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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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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

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

Other innovations include the ElliQ robot, which engages older adults in conversation, offers health reminders, suggests activities, and facilitates social interaction, with users reporting an 80% decrease in feelings of loneliness .

Title:

Content: CES 2024: A Showcase of Innovation in AI, Urban Mobility, and Pet Technology

By: Rizwan Shah
CES 2024: A Showcase of Innovation in AI, Urban Mobility, and Pet Technology

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 in Las Vegas was a hotbed of innovative technologies, augmenting the realms of artificial intelligence, urban mobility, and pet technology. Among the standout showcases were the AI companion robot, Wehead, the electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle by Supernal, and ingenious pet technologies like Pawport and Flappie.

Wehead: A Leap in AI Companionship

Unveiled by a U.S. startup, Wehead is an AI companion robot that promises human-like conversations. Powered by generative artificial intelligence and running on ChatGPT, Wehead not only engages in real-time conversations but also remembers past interactions, providing a supportive and nonjudgmental presence to its users. The robot, which is available for adoption on a subscription basis, marks a significant advance in AI-powered companionship.

Supernal’s eVTOL: An Answer to Urban Traffic

Another highlight from the CES was Supernal’s eVTOL, a product of the Hyundai Group subsidiary. This electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle is being developed as a solution for urban traffic congestion. It can carry a pilot and four passengers and aims to provide a more cost-effective and quicker alternative to car travel in cities. Despite the prospect of launching the service in 2024, Jaiwon Shin from Supernal acknowledged the significant regulatory and technological challenges ahead.

Innovations in Pet Technology

In the realm of pet technology, CES showcased some unique innovations. Martin Diamond’s Pawport, a hermetically sealed pet door, allows pets to enter and leave the house while keeping out wildlife. It is set to be available from May. Swiss twins Oliver and Denis Widler introduced Flappie, a smart pet door equipped with AI cameras. It only allows entry to pets with a microchip and prevents them from bringing unwanted ‘gifts’ into the house. Priced at 299 Swiss francs, Flappie is another testament to the growing integration of AI technology into everyday life.

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

The Wehead AI Companion Robot, showcased at CES 2024, can hold human-like conversations and remember past interactions, while Amazon Astro integrates with Alexa Together to provide home monitoring, reminders, and remote caregiving support .

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.

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Content: Skip to main content

Forget Alexa, Astro is the next step in Amazon's infiltration of your home

Amazon capped off its late-year event with a surprise announcement: Astro, a new robot that’s essentially a tablet on wheels with enough cameras to host a video chat and map your house. It’s the next big venture for Amazon to get into your house, serve your needs, and make its devices essential to your daily life.

Astro is a ‘one more thing’ we would expect from more experienced consumer tech companies – see the LG Rolling Bot in 2016 and the Samsung Ballie in 2020. While both were pitched to fill similar roles of patrolling homes, notifying users of atypical events, and taking notes, neither of the latter made it much farther than the concept stage.

The Astro bot, which Amazon seemingly started developing in 2018 per The Washington Post, appears more capable than the others based on its listed features: it will follow you around as a mobile video chat platform, livestream footage to your mobile app from afar, patrol the home and investigate disturbances, and likely serve as a mobile Alexa station. We’ll see how the actual units perform when they start heading to testers toward the end of 2021 (though a Vice report from product developers isn't promising), and further understand whether there’s a lot to gain from a vacuum-sized ‘bot wheeling around underfoot to answer queries and wander your home.

Here’s the teaser video showing what we can expect an Astro to do:

For Amazon, on the other hand, Astro serves a clear purpose: entrench its services even deeper in the home. There wasn’t a new Echo speaker launched during Amazon’s event, and only a new wall-mounted Amazon Echo Show 15 product, which tells us the company sees Astro as the way to service consumers now that Echoes have saturated the market.

The big service linked to Astro is the existing Ring Protect Pro, without which the ‘bot can’t perform its autonomous patrols and ‘intelligent investigation’ of suspicious activity, nor can it save videos to Ring cloud storage for up to 60 days. Another service, Alexa Guard, uses Astro to detect sounds of smoke, carbon monoxide alarms, or glass breaking and warn users.

If you’re not signed up for either (purchase of an Astro comes with six months of Ring Protect Pro subscription), you can still manually control the robot through the mobile app and livestream footage from the included cameras (including a few hidden in an extendable mast that rises from its cylindrical ‘neck’). But clearly, for the $999 ‘Day 1 edition’ test group price ($1,499 normally, and no plans to test or sell outside the 50 US states), you’re probably going to want the full range of functionality.

And for that, you’ll want to sign up for all the services, tying your daily workflow even closer with Amazon’s products and services in ways that Echo speakers haven’t been able to do. Which reflects what Amazon’s priorities are for Astro, as Dr. Robin Gaster, President of data analytics firm Incumetrics and author of Behemoth, Amazon Rising: Power and Seduction in the Age of Amazon, told TechRadar over email.

“Obviously, Astro is potentially the end data collection mechanism, and seems to fit with the Echo for information and entertainment, the Ring for security, and the Halo for health and wellness,” Gaster said. “All aimed at making Amazon indispensable around the home.”

“Becoming the key assistant around the home is obviously a top long term strategic priority for Amazon – far more than it is for Google, its main competitor,” Gaster said.  “Astro seems like a highly preliminary toe in the water for a physical assistant – miles from being useful now, but perhaps a first step on the path to a robot butler, which could in the end be integrated with the Echo/Ring/Halo. Note that in that case, the Astro would need to gather no data at all: Amazon would already have all it needs.”

What can Astro do that Echoes can’t?

While Amazon has its work cut out for it justifying such high prices, there are things the Astro can do that the Echo or Echo Show can’t. But they are all situational and, for now, theoretical, as the product doesn’t have much competition in terms of functional consumer-facing assistant robots.

First, the video chats: yes, an Echo Show can do it, but it can’t follow you around the house. How much easier is it to command Astro to head over to someone else in another room during a voice call instead of carrying the device there yourself? Or, if the Astro can follow such subtle commands, point at a subject and have the robot point its cameras at it (say, to show home damage to a technician or have someone walk you through a recipe)?

And while a network of Echos could also handle assistant duties, Astro can trail its owner to set up reminders and deliver messages, calls, and other communications – which could be more convenient coming from a screen-equipped robot nearby rather than talking through verbal commands or walking over to an Echo Show. Astro even has some detachable add-ons that make use of its rear cargo area to carry drinks or, and I quote from its Amazon listing, ‘a Furbo Dog Camera that tosses treats to your pet.’

But the big pitch is for security: with that Ring Protect Pro subscription, you can set up Astro to use its cameras and microphones to map your home and patrol for disturbances or strangers. It certainly seems like it could comfort folks away from home, especially with Astro’s live camera feed to check on pets. You can also save footage for up to 60 days should you worry your living space will be subject to heists.

And there’s another subscription service not yet on the market that Amazon revealed at its recent event: Alexa Together, which Astro is linked to in some capacity. While details are vague, this service is described to help users remotely care for aging loved ones, and it's possible Astro could be a sort of go-between for younger helpers to set up reminders and video chat with folks in their care.

Amazon deeper in your home: should you be worried?

Amazon is pitching Astro as an assistant that could make everyone’s life just a bit easier – they just have to give it access to their home and listen in on everything. To be clear, Amazon has included a physical button on the ‘bot that turns off all microphones, cameras, and motion sensors, so you can at least put the blinders on when you need privacy. Since you need cameras and motion sensors for Astro to move around at all, though, it’s kind of an all-or-nothing proposition if you want the robot performing most of its duties.

Astro runs into the same privacy concerns as the Echo and other always-listening/watching products, but with far more visual and motion sensors: the new product follows you around and maps your home to effectively navigate and spot disturbances, as well as identify inhabitants with facial recognition. That’s a lot of very personal data, which might make privacy-minded consumers squeamish, so we reached out to Amazon to clear up which data is going where.

The facial recognition (called ‘Visual ID’) data is securely stored on the device, an Amazon spokesperson told TechRadar – it isn’t stored in the cloud, but mapping data is. When Astro explores your home, it sends mapping information derived from its navigation sensors to the cloud, where Amazon processes it and related information to create and store your Map. This allows you to view a rendering of your Map in the Astro app, where you can edit room names manually as well as set boundaries where Astro cannot enter (the Map data can be deleted at any time). Data that is sent to the cloud is encrypted in transit and securely stored on Amazon’s servers.

There are other topical concerns with data collected by Amazon cameras, especially since the company has extended partnerships with more police and fire departments in 2021, per The Verge, which has led Amazon to hand over recordings and information captured by its Ring video doorbell devices. Crucially, though, these cameras don’t point in the home, and are subject to subpoenas. As the Amazon spokesperson told Techradar: “Requests for Assistance posts from public safety agencies do not support sharing of videos from indoor cameras, including Astro.”

And then there’s the big worry: that Amazon will do what Amazon has done with user data on its platforms and sell data collected by Astro. To be clear, there is no record of Amazon doing so with audio data recorded by Echo speakers, as a point of comparison. When TechRadar asked Amazon whether it would use Astro-collected customer behavior (house heatmaps, daily schedules, overheard conversations) for any other purpose, like refining non-Astro services or sending to partners or advertising, an Amazon spokesperson replied curtly: “For us to consider that change, it would have to offer outsized benefits to customers and provide the right customer controls.”

Whether or not it passes along data to any party outside Amazon, the Astro will certainly collect more than any of the company’s products has before – something that may not sit well with privacy advocates and security experts, but which the public may not care enough about.

“Astro may also be a litmus test – an opportunity to see where exactly concerns about privacy become operational,” Gaster told TechRadar. “So far, the success of the Echo/Ring/ suggests that privacy concerns aren't much of a barrier for Amazon's home ambitions at all.”

David J Lumb is Mobile Editor, US for TechRadar, covering phones, tablets, and wearables. He still thinks the iPhone 4 is the best-looking smartphone ever made.

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The Future Is Here: Amazon Is Now Selling Astro, An AI Driven Household Robot

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Nearly two years ago, then Vice President of Product at Amazon, Charlie Tritschler, wrote about Astro, the company’s first iteration of a smart, home robot. Charlie reflectively explained the vision for the device: “Astro is a new and different kind of robot, one that’s designed to help customers with a range of tasks like home monitoring and keeping in touch with family. It brings together new advancements in artificial intelligence, computer vision, sensor technology, and voice and edge computing in a package that’s designed to be helpful and convenient.”

Two years later, the vision for Astro is still strong, as the company has started selling the device as a part of its “Day 1 Editions” products—those which are accessible to buyers only through an exclusive invitation. Amazon typically reserves this category for its most cutting-edge technology, such as the Astro or the “Ring Always Home Cam.”

Astro is described as a comprehensive household companion which offers a variety of services, ranging from allowing users to see a live view of their home while they are away, to learning daily habits and helping with household reminders.

Importantly, the device will employ advanced learning models to recognize familiar users, navigate complicated home landscapes, and seamlessly integrate itself into the household.

Notably, Astro’s potential applications in the healthcare space are endless. Most importantly, Amazon is pairing the device with Alexa Together, the company’s remote care-giving service which provides 24/7 access to emergency assistance and allows families to be connected to provide support.

The device is coming at a time when the entire healthcare industry is actively investing in ways to deliver care in the convenience of patient’s homes. This is because patients are increasingly placing a value premium on ease of care—that is, receiving care not only in their own homes, but also on their schedule (on-demand) and on their terms. And now, as digital accessibility technologies have significantly improved, healthcare-at-home has become increasingly more feasible.

In fact, this phenomenon has significantly propelled the growth of companies such as Teladoc, which provide on-demand virtual care services through the convenience of a mobile device. Other supporting healthcare companies are also taking advantage of this boom. Take for example Labcorp, one of the world’s largest clinical laboratory networks. Recently, the company announced an entire array of “self-test” kits that can be used by patients at home to test for conditions ranging from colorectal cancer, to cholesterol levels and pregnancy.

This growing sentiment in healthcare is perfectly suited for household robots and smart devices such as Astro. With increasing advancements, not only will patients be able to use Astro for access to emergency services or to keep in touch with their families, but also to access digital and virtual health services.

Additionally, with the boom of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced language learning models, Astro’s capabilities will only continue to improve in being able to solve increasingly challenging queries and requests. Amazon is investing billions of dollars into its SageMaker platform as a means to “Build, train, and deploy machine learning (ML) models for any use case with fully managed infrastructure, tools, and workflows.” Furthermore, the company’s Bedrock platform enables the “development of generative AI applications using [foundational models] through an API, without managing infrastructure.” Undoubtedly, Amazon has the resources and technical prowess to truly make significant strides in generative AI and machine learning, and will increasingly do so in the coming years.

However, it is important to note that Astro is not the only gladiator in the arena. AI enthusiast and Tesla founder Elon Musk announced last year that Tesla is actively working on developing a humanoid robot named “Optimus.” The goal behind the project will be to “Create a general purpose, bi-pedal, autonomous humanoid robot capable of performing unsafe, repetitive or boring tasks. Achieving that end goal requires building the software stacks that enable balance, navigation, perception and interaction with the physical world.” Musk has also ensured that the bot will be powered by Tesla’s advanced AI technology, meaning that it will be an intelligent and self-teaching bot that can respond to second-order queries and commands. Again, with enough time and testing, this technology can be leveraged in a positive way for healthcare-at-home needs and many more potential uses.

This is certainly an exciting and unprecedented time across multiple industries, including artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, and healthcare. The coming years will assuredly push the bounds of this technology and its applications. This advancement will undoubtedly bring with it certain challenges; however, if done correctly, it may also empower the means to benefit millions of people globally.

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Therapeutically, robotic pets are used to reduce anxiety, agitation, loneliness, and depression, especially among those living alone or in care facilities.

Their lifelike features and interactive responses offer emotional support and a sense of purpose, particularly for individuals who have previously cared for animals .

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?

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?

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?

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?

In New York, over 31,500 animatronic pets have been distributed to isolated seniors, with 70% reporting reduced loneliness and 75% experiencing less pain .

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?

Intergenerational programs and adoption events further enhance social engagement and mood among participants .

Public attitudes are generally positive, especially among seniors who appreciate the companionship and low maintenance of robotic pets.