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For an aging population, companion or “social” robots have a lot of promise; they could assist with everyday tasks, help keep in touch with family and friends, and even combat loneliness. But it’s worth wondering whether we should worry about becoming too emotionally attached to a machine.

ElliQ is the latest sidekick to join this new brave new set of companion bots. Made by Intuition Robotics in Israel, ElliQ is described as a “social entity” that helps older adults stay independent, active, and engaged.

Its makers understand the bond formed with a companion machine is very different than one formed with a human, but striking the right balance between usefulness and personality in a companion robot is tricky, especially when it comes to a vulnerable population like the elderly. Where does the line between meaningful friendship and artificial tool lie?

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elliq companion robot tabletRobot companions

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Click the link below for the article:

https://www.futurithmic.com/2019/04/29

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