I’ve seen several robots at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), some cute and cuddly, others not so much. At first glance, a little yellow robot dog didn’t seem particularly exciting or life-changing. But when I saw Jennie, the electronic emotional support animal designed by TomBot, interact with seniors in real time, I changed my mind.
Witnessing the Instant Connection Between Seniors and Jennie
As part of its CES debut, Jennie went on a field trip to a local senior center to visit the residents in the memory care unit. The group of seniors, sitting around a table, didn’t look particularly engaged in anything. When Jennie was introduced, the energy in the room shifted.
Residents were happy to pet and talk to it. One resident asked repeatedly if she could keep the robot dog. “I have to have her,” she said. Another said, “I think she’s beautiful,” while holding Jennie on her lap.
For some, the robot dog brought back memories of beloved pets from their past. It was touching to listen to people recall the joy their real animals once brought them as they cuddled Jennie.
The most touching interaction I observed was the woman who teared up as she hugged and kissed Jennie and said, “I miss my baby,” referring to a pet that was no longer with her.
I was lucky enough to see Jennie next to an actual canine visiting the facility, and even asked if they could meet. The real dog sniffed Jennie and gave an approving tail wag. The residents were excited to see both, but the real dog hopped down and went on its merry way, while Jennie stuck around to be snuggled.
Jennie Is More Than Just a High-Tech Toy
Unlike many of the other robots I saw at CES, Jennie is designed for seniors with dementia. The company’s founder and CEO, Tom Stevens, says the idea to create the robotic lapdog came from his mother, who had to give up her real dog after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
“Jennie is designed to treat the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia,” says Stevens, “so things like loneliness, anxiety, depression, and delirium. And in my mother’s case, hallucinations, anger, and to reduce their need for certain medications, including psychotropic medications.”
Navigating the Cost of Realistic Emotional Support
According to Stevens, many of the lower-priced robotic animals on the market are modeled after children’s toys and rebranded for seniors, so they aren’t sophisticated enough to hold someone’s interest over time. More realistic robots are at much higher price points, which usually makes them less accessible for most people or care facilities. Jennie comes in at $1,500.
“We set out to develop a better emotional attachment object, one that people could afford,” said Stevens. His company is also working to secure approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a medical device and to put healthcare reimbursement in place.
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