Elderly New Yorkers will receive robots to help alleviate feelings of loneliness.
Hundreds of older folks, specifically 65 and older, in New York are going to be reaching their very own robotic friend, which is programmed to help take away some of the loneliness they might feel. The robot is called “ElliQ,” and it is fully equipped to remind elderly resident to take their medication, order an Uber when needed, and can even crack jokes and make small conversation.
The robots come as a project from The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA)”, which is set to deliver the robot friends to 800 older adults, the New York Post reports. The company calls the bot a “more proactive version of Siri or Alexa.”
“Many features attracted us to ElliQ — that it is a proactive tool, remembers the interactions with the individual, focuses on health and wellness, stress reduction, sleep, hydration, etc.,” says Greg Olsen, director of NYSOFA. “It focuses on what matters to individuals: memories, life validation, interactions with friends and families and promotes overall good health and well being.”
