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![The latest version of Intuition Robotics ElliQ robot.](https://www.therobotreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ElliQ-3.0-featured.jpg)
In keeping with information from New York State, Instinct Robotics’ ElliQ has resulted in a 95% discount in loneliness amongst customers. | Supply: Instinct Robotics
Instinct Robotics Ltd. has unveiled the newest version of its AI companion for older adults, ElliQ 3. The Palo Alto, Calif.-based firm stated that the social robotic has been confirmed to profit seniors’ well being, social connectedness, and independence.
The newest model of ElliQ is built-in with generative AI to deliver the expertise into seniors’ on a regular basis lives, stated Instinct Robotics. The corporate added that its $25 million in funding from August 2023 enabled its software program and {hardware} updates.
Instinct Robotics stated ElliQ’s new capabilities will assist develop the provision and accessibility of the robotic. They’re meant to assist the robotic additional improve the independence and wellness of older adults and reduce emotions of loneliness.
“It’s astounding to see that the primary folks to dwell with and construct long-term relationships with an AI are people of their 80s and 90s,” stated Dor Skuler, co-founder and CEO of Instinct Robotics, in a launch.
“By means of this relationship, ElliQ is proving to be extremely efficient in lowering older adults’ sense of loneliness, bettering well being and independence, and rising social connectedness,” he added. “The launch of ElliQ 3.0 permits us to succeed in extra older adults and develop partnerships with authorities companies for the ageing and the healthcare ecosystem whereas providing worthwhile insights and context.”
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{Hardware} upgrades put together ElliQ 3 for scale
Instinct Robotics stated it geared a lot of ElliQ 3’s {hardware} upgrades towards scaling shortly. The corporate plans to extend its manufacturing processes to fulfill the rising demand for its robotic. Instinct Robotics collaborated on ElliQ 3’s up to date design with Yves Behar’s design studio, Fuseproject.
The latest model of ElliQ is 1.3 lb. (0.58 kg) lighter than older variations and has a 36% smaller footprint. A lighter robotic signifies that older adults can have a better time dealing with it.
ElliQ 3 comes a few 12 months after ElliQ 2.0. A few of ElliQ 3’s different {hardware} upgrades embrace:
An upgraded system structure that leverages an octa-core system on chip (SoC) and a built-in, dual-core AI processing unit (APU), each powered by MediaTek
33% extra RAM
Twice the quantity of computing energy and reminiscence
A completely built-in display, which might enhance buyer expertise and system resilience
“By bringing our merchandise and cutting-edge AI expertise to ElliQ, we’re serving to folks of their 70s, 80s, and 90s expertise the advantages of the newest improvements in computing,” said Adam King, vice chairman and normal supervisor of the Shopper Computing Enterprise at MediaTek. “Our superior processing and connectivity makes it simpler for these utilizing ElliQ to expertise a extra in-depth degree of companionship.”
![Steve, an ElliQ user, playing a game with ElliQ.](https://www.therobotreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ElliQ-3.0-Steve-Games.jpg)
ElliQ 3 consists of an built-in display, making it extra sturdy and simpler to make use of. | Supply: Instinct Robotics
ElliQ 3 brings generative AI to ageing populations
ElliQ 3’s {hardware} enhancements pave the best way for its software program upgrades, which focus on integrating generative AI capabilities. Giant language fashions (LLMs) drive these new capabilities, which Instinct Robotics claimed can lengthen and enrich ElliQ’s conversations with older adults.
Generative AI supplies context for a lot of conversations, permitting ElliQ 3 customers to debate a lot of subjects extra naturally, stated Instinct. It has additionally built-in LLM expertise with its Relationship Orchestration Engine.
The Relationship Orchestration Engine makes real-time choices concerning actions, scripted conversations, and, now, generative AI conversations. With LLM expertise built-in, ElliQ can now fuse each content material and reminiscence, in accordance with Instinct Robotics.
ElliQ 3 understands, classifies, and remembers info from scripted and open-ended conversations, defined the corporate. It additionally takes in non-spoken actions and selections by different modalities. This enables the robotic to check with this info in future conversations.
Any related info ElliQ gathers is maintained in a consumer profile, so the robotic can observe up on new conversations, strategies, and actions. ElliQ can use these capabilities to strengthen its relationship with the consumer or to advertise social connectedness, Instinct Robotics stated.
Generative AI additionally helps ElliQ 3 to do extra actions with its customers, stated the corporate. The robotic can paint or write poems with a consumer, which might contributes to the consumer’s cognitive wellness and creativity, it stated. ElliQ 3 additionally options synchronized occasions, beginning with Bingo, wherein clients can take part in actual time with others.
“Immediately’s older adults are harnessing the ability of AI to remodel their lives and embrace new applied sciences that deliver companionship, information, and connection into their each day routines,” stated Rick Robinson, vice chairman and normal supervisor of AgeTech Collaborative from AARP. “As we proceed to fight the epidemic of loneliness amongst seniors, options like ElliQ play an important position, providing not simply innovation, but additionally a lifeline to a brighter, extra related future the place our ageing inhabitants can benefit from the full spectrum of alternatives that the Digital Age has to supply.”
To make sure security, Instinct Robotics stated it has developed and deployed “guardrail” mechanisms that mechanically monitor and mediate conversations in actual time. This helps the robotic to raised management the circulate of dialog, determine when a context change is acceptable, and keep away from AI “hallucinations” or inappropriate responses.
Sustaining the issues customers already love about ElliQ
Whereas ElliQ 3 comes with a bunch of latest capabilities, Instinct Robotics stated the most recent model nonetheless maintains ElliQ’s persona. By means of a mix of coaching, prompting, and scripting by ElliQ’s Character Design Workforce, the robotic maintains its attribute “empathy, curiosity, and humor,” it stated.
Instinct Robotics asserted that this pre-built persona permits customers “to profit from the infinite prospects of AI,” whereas the corporate can nonetheless create a protected area for a weak inhabitants.
The corporate says that ElliQ is offered to tons of of hundreds of older adults as a completely sponsored service. It’s obtainable by authorities businesses, non-profit organizations, Medicaid Managed Care Group suppliers, and healthcare payers.
A few of its companions embrace the New York State Workplace for the Growing older, Inclusa (a Humana firm), and the Space Company on Growing older of Broward County. It additionally consists of new companions such because the Olympic Space Company on Growing older, Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels, and extra.