Robot Pets and AI Can Reduce Older Adults’ Loneliness

Older adults can meet with family and friends in the VR header app /Alcove. Older adults in the US are facing a growing problem of lonelines...

Older adults can meet with family and friends in the VR header app /Alcove.

Older adults in the US are facing a growing problem of loneliness, with a high percentage of them living alone. This social isolation contributes to various health problems like depression and dementia.

To tackle this issue, startups are using technology such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and robotic pets to reduce loneliness and improve the well-being in the elderly. However, the adoption of these technologies is slow due to fear of the unknown, lack of technical support, and high cost.

Virtual reality (VR) experiences, offered by companies like Rendever, can bring elderly Americans into assisted-living facilities together with loved ones through virtual interactions. The AARP has partnered with Rendever to develop a home version of their VR app called Alcove, which has been downloaded 600,000 times. 

The first phase of clinical trials found emotional benefits for older users, but the technology has not taken off as much as expected due to the high cost of VR headsets and the need for multiple headset purchases for social engagement.

When AI pet hears, ‘I love you,’ it reply saying, ‘Thank you, that makes my heart overheat / ElliQ.

AI companions like the ElliQ robot from Intuition Robotics can initiate conversations and learn about their owners to offer personalized recommendations for nutrition, exercise, and more. The robot costs $250 upfront and a monthly subscription fee of $30 to $40. 

Although early testers have developed a rapport with the robot, they don't believe that robot and human companionship are interchangeable. The company has distributed the robots to 900 low-income seniors in New York and is in talks with other states about subsidizing ElliQ for low-income seniors.

Robotic pets like the Hasbro from Joy for All line of cats and dogs can provide seniors with a comforting companion without the demands of pet ownership. These robotic pets have lifelike movements, sounds, and a soft exterior, providing seniors with the joy of pet ownership without the responsibilities.

In conclusion, while technology like VR, AI companions, and robotic pets can reduce loneliness and improve well-being in older adults, the adoption of these technologies has been slow due to fear of the unknown, lack of technical support, and high cost. Nevertheless, companies are working to make these technologies more accessible and affordable for seniors to combat the loneliness epidemic.