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I’ve written about Japanese Age Tech before. I wrote about it like a utopian future.
But the mere idea of advanced technology for the aging and the elderly? The idea alone doesn’t help me much.
I’m tired of Age Tech being a curious thing they have over in Japan.
The elder care system is heading Titanic style over the next decades, and I’m suggesting we shape up State-side to get some Age Tech my dad can use here in Michigan.
I need a robot I can buy, which makes caring for my dad a little easier, which makes my dad’s quality of life a little better.
The Caregiver Family Alliance says “”The lower the income and education a person has, the more likely he or she is a caregiver.” So you know caregivers ain't buying the $3,000 robot.
I'm saying, are there any robots for grandpa and grandma that you can buy?
With realistic expectations in the year 2023, you can find a robot who takes care of common family caregiver responsibilities, whether that’s “the robot does it automatically” or “with the help of a human”.
What’s the most advanced AND inexpensive robot of 2023? A handy robotic home helper with a nice personality and who requires less than $1,000 to purchase?
I’m a skeptical caregiver today, so I’m starting with bad news first.
It’s true - the most technologically advanced robots available for purchase cost an arm and a leg. Want some examples?
Sony aibo Companion Robot is the future man’s best friend, and a member of the family, but also costs more than a purebread.
Obi is a robotic arm for feeding, which doesn’t list pricing on their website, but YouTube hearsay auctions this flexible beauty at $9,000.
UBTECH’s fleet of ADIBOT hospital grade robots for disinfectant, safety control, and you may be serviced by their Humanoid Service Robot Series called “WALKER”, but this is another enterprise-level solution holes in pockets can’t get. I put the Aldebaran NAO, plato, and pepper service robots plus Blue Frog Robotic’s BUDDY PRO emotional robot in the same bucket of “expensive big and plastic robots which serve adults”.
Temi’s tagline “Robots as a Service” makes it clear this is for business owners and corporates, not lil gangreen in the home. The Temo GO and RUN were announced in late 2022.
Welcome to the future of elder care. A smart man on a video show I saw at the Detroit Historical Museum said, “Innovation is when you make something good accessible to more people.” And that’s the kind of innovation I’m looking for in Michigan’s Age Tech ecosystem.
I’m shopping online for a robot right now, giving New York residents the jealous doe eye at the free robots they get over there in the big city. I guess that’s what Tom Hanks was saying: “I’m lonely on a boat in the big city?”
Watch some caregiver movies here.
I can only recommend what I know best, and that’s Alexa.
The Amazon Alexa Echo series works for anybody with an internet connection at home and a voice to talk with Alexa.
Out of the box, you can play music with Alexa, ask Alexa what time it is, set reminders with Alexa, and “Drop In” on your family who also has Alexa.
Since Alexa has a conversational voice and a tactful, respectful, nice, friendly personality, it's good to have Alexa around.
I feel like she helps our family just about every day, to making the day a little nicer.
I wrote all about my experience with the Alexa Echo for Music and Alexa for Dementia Dance Parties and the Alexa Echo Show 10 in other posts.
A robotic pet made for memory care? Sure to be a crowd favorite in Alzheimer’s and Dementia care institutions and households across the United States, and now here in Gratiot County, Michigan.
Cuz I’m gonna buy a kitty and a birdie too.
Ageless Innovations is a part of the Hasbro large toy corporation. Which is nice, knowing they’ve been around a while, so this animatronic future pet is safe for grandma.
They specialze in kitties and puppies for aging people with memory loss, children and adults with anxiety conditions, as well as people who like kitties and puppies but aren't prepared to take on the responsibilities of a real pet (feeding, grooming, cleaning, and the like).
Elephant Robots is a lesser-known alternative, if you didn’t find your pick of the litter with Ageless Innovation, then the “MetaCat” is a purr-fect alternative if you can’t find the color or length fur, or eye color of the kitty you like from Ageless Innovation. The same brand’s “MarsCat” would be the expensive and not-so-cuddly.
I'm putting Elli-Q on the list because I respect what this company is doing. At the moment, I still think Alexa is an overall best solution for *MOST* seniors over the age of 60.
Particular cases of memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer's, or physical challenges getting around the home… Basically any concerns you have about your aging family member when they need someone around them at least to check-in.
The Elli-Q is specifically designed to meet elder care challenges. Which is something Alexa cannot say.
Cuddly and lovable for some gentle TLC chair time with grandpa.
I’m of the opinion robot cats and dogs for seniors are cute. I recognize other people might find it a tiny bit disturbing because it feels so damn real.
If you want something that doesn’t look like a real dog or cat, then shop for Purrble.
It’s like a tribble from Star Trek (minus the rapid space time reproduction).
For those who prefer a cutesy creature that isn't designed to look like a real life cat and dog, Purrble is a gentle cuddly purring fur ball which is nice to snuggle with while you're in your chair or lying down for a rest.
Boy, I'd have been delighted to find one of these in the corner of the sofa at a nursing home or kindergarten nap corner. Both cases work like a snuggly dream with Purrble!
Eilik is a small humanoid robot friend for all ages.
He or she (I’m not sure which) has an interactive fun personality.
I think it’s a viable companion for entertainment to bring out to my dad (Parkinson’s and dementia) once in a while.
Call me crazy, but I like Eilik the same way I like the bird.
For a person with arthritis or fine motor challenges like my dad with his Parkinson's riddled hands, I bet the Eilik would be a difficult buddy to operate.
If you like Eilik and buy more than one, then Eilik has buddies that throw parties and make humor. The whole thing is a lot like The Minions.
I like that there are three touchsense areas and that it makes little baby noises.
Don’t confuse Eilik with Elli-Q. One of them is copying the name of the other to make it confusing for shoppers. I bet Eilik is the copy cat, because Elli-Q is NOT sold on Amazon.
While Vector is not specifically designed for seniors, you can say the very same thing about Amazon Alexa, which I speak highly of in the context of elder care.
Vector has an adorable personality with empathetic green eyes to show lots of emotion.
Vector moves around flat surfaces like a tabletops well. But not on floors with big obstacles.
The thing is pretty small. Most senior-friendly robots you can buy on a budget are small.
Pro Tip: Robots you can buy online usually look bigger online than they do when you have the physical device in your hands.
Vector got me thinking… He really could be a great chair-side companion by my dad’s chair, where he spends 80% of his day.
The Moorbot Scout AI is a gadget geek’s safety surveillance when mom or dad lives alone. It’s like a remote control car designed for rough terrain driving though the home.
I’m happy to report, The Moorbot Scout is a low-cost robot that you can buy for your home. It works well for adults who want to surveil their aging parents.
Definitely, Moorbot Scout is intended for tech savvy people. It’s primarily for security and geekery and entertainment not really a companion.
Please do not confuse the Moorebot with the Vector. Both have a boxy beetle tank body, but they have very different assistive features.
When “I’ve Fallen And I Can’t Get Up” the old necklace with the “Call For Help Button” is not the newest senior safety tech.
The Moorbot Scout has AI that enables it to navigate rooms in the home on its own. Like a black box electronic watch dog with tank wheels. Mobility on a camera to check in on an aging family member is a viable use case for elder tech in USA.
This is the birdie I’ve referenced before.
It’s sound quality is really great, like a bird. So are its head and tail movement, like a bird.
The motion sensor makes it feel like you’re playing with a bird, because the bird gets pippety chirping when you come near the bird.
You can put it in your hands and pet it. You can perch it on a walker with the magnetic strap. On a walker or wheelchair, that’s engaging indoors or outdoors.
The Amazon Astro is the only senior friendly robot which I would consider buying.
It's currently only available on demo in 2023, and I am on the waitlist for the “First Day Version”.
You can sign up for the first day version wait list on Amazon here.
The biggest flaw of the Astro, which Amazon makes abundantly clear? It can't go up and down stairs.
Beyond this minor limitation, I am thoroughly anticipating Astro’s personality.
What could Astro bring to the Amazon Robot Family where I have only known Alexa?
Amazon's early stage marketing pre-launch of the Astro demonstrates Amazon is well aware of the senior market sector for those 60 plus years of age with extended care needs.
Amazon knows old people turning old over the next three generations are more tech savvy than the old people now.
Due to my excellent experience with Alexa, combined with Astro’s senior-specific design, plus their being from Amazon, these are the reasons I will buy Amazon Astro if it becomes available to me.
