Would you trust an AI robot to keep your elderly parent company when you cannot be there? ElliQ, a tabletop companion developed by Intuition Robotics, is designed to chat with older adults, encourage activities, provide reminders and help them stay connected with family and the world around them.
For some users, the technology is proving surprisingly comforting. ElliQ can offer conversation and companionship throughout the day, potentially easing loneliness and taking some pressure off family caregivers.
But there is another side to the futuristic appeal: experts warn that an AI companion cannot replace genuine human relationships, while privacy, emotional attachment and the limits of current research remain important concerns.
How Much Does ElliQ Cost?
ElliQ operates on a subscription model. The company lists its annual membership at $588, which is approximately £434, based on recent exchange rates. There is also a one-off $249 lease initiation fee, worth around £184, putting the first-year cost at roughly £618 before taxes or other charges.
That makes the headline figure of around £500 a useful shorthand for the annual membership, but families should be aware that the initial outlay can be higher.
The robot itself is designed for older adults living at home. Rather than looking like a humanoid machine, ElliQ has a small, lamp-like body paired with a touchscreen. It can hold conversations, play games, suggest activities, guide breathing exercises, facilitate communication and provide reminders.
Intuition Robotics describes ElliQ as a companion for healthy ageing rather than a replacement for human care.
Can an AI Robot Really Fight Loneliness?
This is where ElliQ's appeal becomes more complicated.
Research published in 2024 described ElliQ as an AI-driven social robot specifically developed to combat loneliness and support wellbeing among older adults. The researchers found promising real-world indications, while also noting that more research is needed as social robots become more widely used.
The company's own user research has reported particularly strong results, with 95.9% of respondents in one survey saying ElliQ reduced their loneliness. However, that research was conducted by Intuition Robotics itself, so it should not be treated as equivalent to independent clinical evidence.
For an older person who spends much of the day alone, even small interactions could make a difference. ElliQ can say good morning, remember previous conversations, suggest an activity or simply provide someone — or something — to talk to.
That may also offer relief to family members who cannot provide constant companionship themselves.
The Risk of Replacing Human Connection
The biggest concern is what happens if an AI companion becomes too good at filling the silence.
Experts have warned that reducing loneliness is not the same as creating genuine social connection. An older person may enjoy regular conversations with ElliQ while still lacking meaningful contact with family, friends or their wider community.
That distinction is particularly important because loneliness and social isolation among older adults have been associated with serious physical and mental health consequences.
ElliQ's role should be viewed as supplementary. It can encourage interaction and activity, but it cannot provide the empathy, judgement and physical presence of a human caregiver.
The company says the system has safeguards intended to prevent excessive engagement and encourage users to remain connected with people and activities outside ElliQ.
What Happens to the User's Data?
Privacy is another issue families should consider before putting an AI companion in an older person's home.
Because ElliQ is designed to remember conversations and personalise its responses, it needs access to information about the user. Intuition Robotics' privacy materials cover information connected with interactions and the use of its services, making it important for families to understand what is collected, how it is used and who may have access to it.
The more personal the relationship with the device becomes, the more significant that question becomes. An elderly user could discuss family problems, health concerns, routines or other sensitive subjects with a machine they perceive as a trusted companion.
That does not automatically make ElliQ unsafe, but it does mean privacy should be part of the conversation before the device is introduced.
A Useful Tool, Not a Replacement Carer
There is a compelling case for ElliQ when used carefully. It can provide entertainment, reminders and regular interaction, while caregiver features can help relatives stay informed and connected.
But the technology is not a cure for the wider care crisis. Its strongest role may be as an extra layer of support for older people who want to remain independent, rather than as a replacement for family visits, community activities or professional care.
So, would you trust ElliQ with your elderly parent?
Perhaps but only if everyone involved understands what the robot can and cannot do. At roughly £434 a year for the annual membership, it may be considerably cheaper than many forms of professional care, but its value cannot be measured by price alone.
For an isolated older adult, a friendly voice waiting at home could be genuinely meaningful. The danger comes when that convenience is mistaken for human connection. ElliQ may help bridge the gap between visits, but the experts' warning is clear: a robot can supplement care, but it should not become the care.
