Intuition Robotics raised $6 million for its ElliQ elder care assistant robot

Intuition Robotics, maker of elder care assistant ElliQ, announced today that it has raised $6 million in funding from iRobot and equity crowdfunding platform OurCrowd. With the funding, the Jerusalem-based company plans to open an office in the Bay Area and begin testing ElliQ with senior citizens in San Francisco.

In the future, virtual assistants will not only take orders. They’ll also have ideas of their own.

Israel-based Intuition Robotics is developing the virtual assistant specifically for the elderly, a population shown to be more vulnerable to social isolation and physical inactivity. The founders expect that frequent engagement with a robot that makes positive lifestyle suggestions will promote physical and mental wellness.

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Glowing like a table lamp, a robotic assistant called ElliQ turns its cylandrical head and asks, "Do you want to play a game of bridge?"

AI Robot Companion Wants to Keep Old People Company

ElliQ markets itself as an alternative to other AI companions that the likes of Google and Amazon have launched for the home.

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“That is really one of the most important conversations we need to have about technology today,” Hoffman says. “In one way, technology is increasingly successful in addressing our social needs. But we do not want the technology to drive our human values. We want our human values to drive our technology.”

Interview with Dor Skuler, Co-Founder & CEO

Globalization and trade have transformed the American economy. But increasingly, the competition for jobs comes from inside our own borders, with automation, robots and artificial intelligence rapidly moving into the workforce. What can we expect and what can we do about it?
Listen to David Brancaccio interviewing Dor Skuler, Intuition Robotics CEO.

ELLIQ: Intuition Robotics Bridges Uncanny Valley To Cure Loneliness Epidemic

 A host of robots have recently emerged to address disability and illness. But ELLIQ, a new product from Israeli startup Intuition Robotics, concerns a far more common and rising problem: loneliness.

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Though stylized more like a sleek designer lamp, Intuition Robotics’s ElliQ robot could not be more humane. Billed as an “active aging companion,” this smart bot uses “natural communication” to help your grandma or grandpa stay...up-to-date...

ElliQ Robot Maker Intuition Robotics Raises Funding from iRobot

“Intuition Robotics’ ElliQ is an exciting advancement in cognitive computing and human-robot interaction,” says Hanns Anders, director at iRobot Ventures. “iRobot has been a longtime proponent of the development of robotics technologies to support the world’s aging population.”

AI startup coming to Silicon Valley with robot companion for elderly

The ElliQ from Intuition Robotics is like a more animated version of the Amazon Echo that is specially designed to improve the quality of life of seniors.

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"Instead of waiting for a prompt from its elderly user, the robot proactively suggests personalized activities in order to keep the user engaged. It's a prime example of how AI can improve a specific aspect of a person's life based on their behavior."

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" ElliQ, a new voice-assistant from Israeli startup Intuition Robotics, has more in common with 2012’s Robot & Frank, where an old man makes friends with his robot helper."

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"ElliQ, a cute little robot that can invite your grandparents to play a game, set up video chats with friends, and pull up family photos from social media."

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“It looks like it has a face even though it doesn’t,” says usability guru Don Norman, who advised Skuler on ElliQ’s design. “That makes it feel approachable.”

ElliQ Is The World's First Voice Activated Robot For Elderly

“Certainly, this is a great concept to help people and changes perspective of the gadget makers in future. It can surely assist in taking care of an elderly parent and can now very well be in much better hands.”

Groundbreaking AI Tech Could Improve Quality of Life for Older Adults

“Until now, most AI companions, like those created by Google and Amazon, have largely been focused on providing assistance. ElliQ, on the other hand, aims to enrich the lives of its users, keeping them active, engaged and thereby reducing loneliness.”

A robot friend for the elderly: AI plays games and reads books to pensioners to help tackle loneliness in old age

Elli.Q uses artificial intelligence to slowly learn what its owner likes, and will help those less confident with technology to use social media, video chats and play games online.

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“...that empathy layer is really the most fascinating, far-off bit of what ElliQ is attempting that most AI does not. Talking to ElliQ isn’t intended to simply be an easy way to call family without hitting tiny buttons on a tablet or finding the right app; it’s intended to be a friend who can appreciate and experience these life events with you.”

Meet ElliQ, a Voice Assistant for the Elderly

Unlike an Amazon Echo speaker$179.99 at Amazon, ElliQ's communication abilities range beyond the spoken word. Its motorized base can swivel, and a hinge lets it move its upper body independently from the lower.

ElliQ is a robotic companion that helps the elderly remain active and engaged

Robots are no longer confined to science fiction - they’re infiltrating every facet of our lives.

ElliQ Is A Stylish Robot Designed For The Elderly

They say that the mind is usually the first thing to go when you get older, which is why it is typically recommended for older people to keep themselves mentally stimulated. This can come in all sorts of ways, such as picking up a hobby, talking with others, reading, and so on. However Intuition Robotics might have a hi-tech solution in the form of ElliQ.

AI robot 'friend' launched to chat and play games with lonely elderly

ElliQ, which is one of the most advanced social companion robots in the world, has been designed to convey emotion through different speech tones, lights and body language to be as engaging as possible.

Intuition Robotics Tailors ElliQ to Help the Aged Overcome Isolation

ElliQ uses a combination of movements and voice interactions to communicate with end users. However, “her” artificial intelligence capabilities and design are uniquely designed to serve the elderly

A New AI-Driven Companion For Older Adults, Improving Their Quality Of Life

The design and actions of the artificial intelligence-based device, ElliQ, make it look and feel less like a traditional robot and more as a friendly and approachable digital companion.

Israel startup recruits Norse goddess as elder companion

Elli•Q intentionally doesn’t look like a robot. With no eyes or mouth, it looks like a little mushroom-shaped lamp, with lights flickering and the head turning and bending to acknowledge a person’s presence or to mimic head gestures while expressing emotions.

Home robot to nudge older people to stay social and active

Unlike most other home assistants, ElliQ can recommend activities of its own accord. It might ask if you’re interested in watching a video, for instance, or suggest a walk. It can also act as reminder to take medication.

Inside Israel's Secret Startup Machine

Dor Skuler admits that he was "an awful student in high school, truly an awful student," when Unit 8200 started looking at him in his junior year, but the people there saw untapped genius, and by focusing on what he could be rather than what he was, they discovered a great intelligence officer who wound up founding three startups.

Press Releases

Intuition Robotics Announces Investment from iRobot and OurCrowd, Bringing Total Funding to $6M

The new investors join Terra Venture Partners, who led the Intuition Robotics seed round, as well as other original investors including Bloomberg Beta, Maniv Mobility, and additional private investors. 

Intuition Robotics Emerges from Stealth: Introduces ELLI•Q, AI Driven Active Aging Companion Developed to Improve Quality of Life for Older Adults

Social companion technology startup addresses loneliness and social isolation of silver generation; Elli•Q to debut at prestigious exhibit at The Design Museum in London