Eldercare has been a focal point of robotics research in various regions for many years. Recently, different areas have begun exploring this market. An exemplary case in the United States is the home assistance system developed by Labrador Robotics. Conversely, in Tel Aviv, Intuition Robotics introduced a “companion” robot around 2016.
A notable entrant into this market was ElliQ, which made its debut in March last year and has achieved some success through partnerships with supportive care facilities. The \(25 million funding secured by Intuition Robotics this summer underscores the success of this innovative robot in attracting investors once again. The company’s total funding was boosted to \)83 million in the latest funding round led by Woven Capital, a development fund backed by Toyota.
The latest iteration, ElliQ 3, received a substantial portion of this recent funding. This updated version features stylistic enhancements, more powerful hardware, and integrated relational AI. The unveiling at this year’s Les occasion in Las Vegas showcased these latest advancements.
Yves Behar was the mastermind behind the design of ElliQ, with his studio continuing to contribute to the evolution of this cutting-edge technology. The new model is 1.3 pounds lighter and approximately one-third smaller than its predecessor. The onboard MediaTek octa-core processor has been upgraded, accompanied by an increase in RAM. The hardware updates primarily aim to improve user experience and enhance manufacturing scalability.
At the forefront of CES’s discussions and likely the highlight of the year is generative AI. The company asserts that they are enhancing ElliQ’s conversational abilities by leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs), a pivotal aspect of the system. According to the company, “ElliQ enables users to engage in more meaningful and comprehensive conversations on a wide range of topics.”
The introduction of new designs is expected to enrich both structured and open-ended conversations, along with ElliQ’s ability to grasp the context of requests. The company is also exploring additional avenues with conceptual AI.
The company highlights, “For instance, the capability to engage in activities such as painting or composing poems, which contribute to cognitive well-being and creativity.” Sharing these artistic creations with family or the broader ElliQ community “fosters a sense of belonging, reduces isolation, and enhances cultural well-being,” as per the company’s insights.
