Companion robot animals for the elderly
Register for free and continue reading
Join our growing army of changemakers and get unlimited access to our premium content
This robot dog comforts dementia sufferers and others who can't keep pets
Spotted: More than 55 million people worldwide suffer from dementia, a disease that’s also associated with pain, loneliness, and depression. It has been shown that caring for a pet can help people with dementia to communicate better, as well as promote quality of life and encourage independence. However, it is also difficult for those with dementia to safely care for a live animal.
Tombot has developed a high-tech robotic therapy dog nicknamed “Jennie”, which can help those with dementia to gain comfort and companionship without the need to feed or care for a real pet. The puppy is designed to alleviate some of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, including anxiety, frustration, depression, and apathy.
Instead of repetitive, pre-programmed behaviour, “Jennie” is interactive, autonomous, and has behaviours that mimic a real puppy. Some of the puppy’s features include all-body touch sensors that allow it to react differently based on how and where it’s being touched; voice activation software that enables it to react to commands such “speak;” and sounds recorded from a 12-week-old Labrador puppy.
The animatronics for the Tombot puppy prototype were designed by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop (the creatives behind Sesame Street and the Muppets), and Tombot’s team of engineers then turned it into an autonomous robot. “Jennie” is rechargeable and comes with a free smartphone app that allows users to name their puppy, customise its functionality, and track user interactions.
The inspiration for “Jennie” came back in 2011, when the mother of Co-founder and CEO Tom Stevens was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and her beloved dog needed to be taken away for safety reasons. Finding no suitable alternatives, Stevens launched Tombot in 2017 to help people like his mother. Account Executive Marissa Steingold explained to Springwise that as well as helping seniors with dementia, Tombot puppies could also serve as a realistic companion for children and adults with autism, anxiety, major depressive disorder, PTSD, and mobility challenges.
Tombot is formally launching at the CES show this January in Las Vegas and will begin shipping the puppies to individuals, families, assisted living communities, and healthcare providers on its waitlist in 2025. Steingold also told Springwise that the company has started a new equity crowdfunding programme that allows regular people around the world to become owners in Tombot.
Written By: Lisa Magloff