When you think of tech early adopters, this Brooklyn resident isn’t who typically comes to mind. She’s 95 years old, can’t see or hear very well anymore, and grew up in a time when the hottest new gadgets around were toaster ovens and zippers.
Today? She’s not sure what she would do without her Amazon Echo smart speaker.
Here, robo kitty!
When elderly clients of the Bronx-based RiverSpring Health Plans are feeling low, they might get a cat in their lap — a robotic cat that is.
Susan Garelick, 66, did. After she said goodbye forever to her 14-year-old feline two years ago, she was lonely and depressed.
Those ages 50 and older in the U.S. generate $7.6 trillion in economic activity, according to AARP, representing a huge financial force. That trend will grow as the number of older adults more than doubles by 2050, representing over 20% of the population.
As health care costs for a growing population of older adults continue to skyrocket, the opportunity to address patient needs has become saturated with expensive solutions, from pharmaceuticals to products to services. What if something simpler could actually help aging loved ones? What if it were as easy as a prescription for play?
So your kid is asking for a pet, right? Of course, he or she is. Get your child a robot dog instead. There’s no clean-up, and no walks during torrential downpours.
But all that aside, given that they come in all shapes in sizes, what is most fascinating about robot dogs is the range of features they incorporate. Some robot toys, as we’ve found, are packed with tech features that require a smartphone to fully unlock. Others are about the connection your son or daughter makes with the toy, and they can be useful surrogates when an actual pet can’t be accommodated. Kids can get the benefits of pet-ownership, like bonding and play, without the responsibility of, you know, actual pet ownership.