Can robots solve Grandma's loneliness?

This robot can help people with physical disabilities
This robot can help people with physical disabilities


Tech companies, auto manufacturers and startups are among those examining how robots can assist the elderly in their homes. Senior citizens, who often live alone, are at risk of being isolated and lonely.

Intuition Robotics, an Israel-based startup that makes robots, announced Tuesday it raised $14 million from investors, including Toyota Research Institute, which invests in autonomous vehicles and home robots. The funding will go toward developing a social companion robot, ElliQ. Toyota and IBM are two of the biggest tech companies researching how technology can aid older generations.


elliq 2


"We communicate with our family all the time [these days] and then call grandma once in awhile," Skuler said. "But with ElliQ, it's easier to have more interactions with grandma."

The robot is also designed to reduce caregiver stress. It can give reminders about upcoming doctor's appointments. ElliQ works to keep older adults engaged and active. It will make personalized suggestions such as going for walks, or listening to music.

But companies developing these robots have to win over the elderly. Four in 10 senior citizens don't even go online, according to a 2014 study from the Pew Research Center. A robot in the home will be a leap for many.

Related: Robots hit the streets, and the streets hit back

Skuler envisions a senior citizen's child purchasing and setting up the robot. His startup has done research to understand a form factor with which older demographics are comfortable.

Skuler initially considered a robot that would follow the senior around their home but concluded the concept was too strange. Skuler expects the home assistant robots of tomorrow will specialize in a specific task and won't necessarily look like humans.

"Our fridge doesn't look like a human. Our dishwasher doesn't look like a humanoid," Skuler said.


Blue Frog Robotics concluded the best way to have the elderly accept a robot was to make their product resemble robots from pop culture hits such as Star Wars and Pixar's Wall-E.

blue frog robotics


Related: What the faces of robots tell us about ourselves

Then there's Hasbro, which now makes robotic pets for the elderly.

A few years ago, the company's research team noticed unusual reviews for its line of FurReal pets, designed for ages 4 - 8. Customers started buying these toy pets for aging loved ones and leaving positive reviews.

"We started to dig into the issues causing the reviews," said Ted Fischer, vice president of new business. "It's the desire for interactive companionship."


robotic pet hasbro 2

The Joy for All Companion Pets are designed to be realistic, reacting to human touch. The cat purrs and the dog barks. These robotic pets require little upkeep, and there's no fear a senior citizen will have to give up their companion if they move into a community that bans pets.


This was inspired in part by Fischer spending time with a 95-year-old relative who doesn't listen to her voice messages, even if it's as simple as hitting a large button on an answering machine placed next to her.

IBM is another company that understands not everyone is ready for a robot inside the home. It previously developed one that could measure a person's vital signs from camera footage.

Meanwhile, one of its current projects creates smart home environments in senior living facilities. The researchers track a variety of factors, including walking and sleeping habits of seniors. The hope is that by better understanding a senior citizen's environment, the rate at which they're readmitted to a hospital will drop.

Robotics is one of the hottest areas of the tech world, but winning over senior citizens won't be easy.

CNNMoney Sponsors