Intuition Robotics designs ElliQ, a proactive AI companion robot built for older adults living independently. Dor Skuler, Itai Mendelsohn, and Roy Amir founded the company in January 2016 in Tel Aviv, with additional offices later opened in the United States, Japan, and Greece. ElliQ debuted at CES in January 2017 and moved from pilot programs to commercial availability in the United States in March 2022.
Unlike voice assistants that wait to be addressed, ElliQ initiates conversation on its own, checking in on mood, suggesting light exercise or breathing sessions, reminding users to take medication, and prompting video calls with family. Intuition Robotics has focused engineering effort specifically on emotional expressiveness, using device lighting, motion, and tone to make the companion read as responsive rather than scripted, and the device integrates with Microsoft Azure's text-to-speech for more natural conversation. A companion portal lets family members and caregivers check in remotely and see wellness trends over time.
ElliQ suits older adults aging in place, and the family members or care organizations supporting them, rather than a general consumer smart-speaker audience. Access requires the device itself plus a subscription: $39.99 a month billed monthly, or $29.99 a month billed annually, on top of a one-time $249 setup fee. The company has raised $83 million in funding across its history.
