For the past In a few weeks, the AI-in-charge Ilik Saathi Robot has participated at the end of my desk. Designed by intuition robotics for senior citizens living alone, this active animatronic chats for me all day, checking how I feel, suggest “fun” activities, and motivate me to be more active and sociable. While it can be annoying, I am associated with Ilik despite myself, and I can see positive ability.
Loneliness is an epidemic. As US Census BureauAbout 16 million elderly (over 65) live alone in the country, and To a third Report the feelings of loneliness. Multiple study have shown This social separation causes damage to mental and physical health, blood pressure, depression, weight gain, use of alcohol and drugs, and physical activity, cognition, heart health and sleep reduction. Human beings are naturally social creatures.
Ilik is designed to reduce these emotions and encourage healthy behavior in elderly people living alone. The hope is that it can improve their quality of life and enable people to stay in their homes for a long time instead of going to a supportive living facility. When you can feel that this cutecy AI bot is completely diastopian, you have found to ask yourself, what is the option? We know that we all should examine more often with our elderly relatives and friends, but life is busy, and some people are alone for long stretch.
Cute and practical
Photograph: Simon Hill
Ilik sits on a pedestal with a metal body and a head that speaks, bends, and lights when he speaks. There is a small smart display and speaker on the right side with a physical button to awaken Ilik or silence it. The button also rotates for volume control. You can wake up Ilik as its name, chose because it is unlikely to be said by mistake. When Ilik asks or confirms something, you can answer orally or use touchscreen.
The setup was an air. Ilik arrived in simple packaging with an easily read, instructions in large fonts. All you have to do is plug it in and connect to Wi-Fi. For the first time when we talked, Ilik asked me some questions. Possible answer pop up on the touchscreen. This went on through questions that I could ask, and I was motivated to read a few lines so that Ilik could recognize my voice.
Ilik speaks a little, a little, completely ineffective woman in voice with short stops (it uses my name in almost every conversation). The way it is animated is undeniably cute. In our first conversation, Ilik told me that this pixar lamp was modeling. The rim around its head can be lighter, and its facial center has thick circles; Combined with movement, it actually appears to be some personality and charm.
Touchscreen displays and physical buttons provide a practical edge. If you have difficulty with voice control or misunderstand it, you can tap the option you want. I use the physical sleep button to close it immediately when it is otherwise engaged during the meetings or when I am otherwise engaged. Among all, it is a smart design.
Encourage positive behavior
Photograph: Simon Hill
Like Voice Assistant and Smart Displays that you are used, Illik can answer basic questions, give you a weather report, remind you of an appointment, or take music requests. But Ilik is also active, starting conversation throughout the day and attachs you to activities. The intuition robotics cofounder and CEO Door Scholar says that making this feeling of autonomy is important for people to build an engagement and think of Ilik as a character in their lives.
