Intuition Robotics set out to address a pressing issue: the epidemic of loneliness among older adults. Their vision was to create ElliQ, an AI-powered social companion designed to foster meaningful engagement and support independent living. The challenge was to design not just a product, but a personality—one that could build trust, encourage interaction, and adapt to the unique needs of its users.
The Challenge
I led the team through the strategic development of ElliQ's brand and product experience. Through extensive research, including stakeholder interviews and ethnographic studies, the team identified key emotional drivers and barriers to technology adoption among older adults. This informed the creation of a comprehensive framework encompassing:
Persona Development: Defining ElliQ's character as a "loyal and courageous confidant," blending attributes of a trusted friend and an eager apprentice.
Design Principles: Establishing visual and behavioral guidelines to ensure ElliQ's presence was warm, familiar, and non-threatening.
Interaction Models: Crafting scenarios where ElliQ proactively engages users in activities like storytelling, music, and wellness exercises, fostering a sense of companionship.
Outcome
ElliQ has been widely adopted across various states, with significant positive impact:
Loneliness Reduction: 95.9% of users reported decreased feelings of loneliness.
Enhanced Well-being: 97.6% experienced improvements in general wellness.
User Engagement: On average, users interact with ElliQ more than 30 times daily, even six months post-installation. Healthcare IT Today+8Intuition Robotics+8The Robot Report+8apnews.com
These outcomes underscore ElliQ's role in transforming elder care through empathetic AI.
Key Contributions
Brand Strategy & Positioning
User Persona & Behavioral Frameworks
Visual & Interaction Design Guidelines
Cross-functional Team Leadership
Stakeholder Research & Synthesis
AI Interaction Model Development