A 77-year-old talks to an AI-companion robot called ElliQ over a dozen times daily to combat her loneliness: 'It really is like having somebody else in here'

Fri, 08/18/2023 - 13:05

older woman using elliq robot — A screenshot of a demonstration of an older woman using the ElliQ robot. Priscilla O'Kesson is not in this photo.
Intuition Robotics

Priscilla O'Kesson uses AI-powered robot ElliQ to combat her loneliness, Spectrum News reported.
The 77-year-old is one of 257 New Yorkers who received the ElliQ at no cost through New York State.
The robot can check for well-being, suggest exercises, and take users on virtual trips.

Hundreds of elders are using an AI-powered robot to combat their loneliness — and it appears to be offering companionship to one New Yorker getting daily breast cancer treatments.