A robotic dog can help people with mental health and cognitive problems
US robotics company Tombot has introduced Genie, an AI-powered robotic pet designed to provide comfort and companionship to people facing cognitive health challenges.
This innovation is poised to change the lives of millions of people struggling with dementia, mild cognitive impairment and other mental health issues.
Jenny’s birthday
Jenny’s inception stemmed from a personal tragedy experienced by Tombot CEO Tom Stevens. When his mother, Nancy, is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the family must make the heartbreaking decision to rehome their beloved dog, Golden Bear.
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This difficult choice made Nancy increasingly lonely and depressed. Recognizing the widespread need for a solution, Stevens founded Tombot with a mission to create a robotic companion that provides the emotional benefits of pet ownership without the associated challenges.
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Cutting design and technology
Jenny’s life-like appearance is the result of a collaboration with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, famous for creating the Muppets. This artistic partnership has resulted in a hyper-realistic Labrador retriever puppy that captures the personality of a real dog.
Genie offers amazing interactive technologies designed to create a lifelike and engaging companion experience. The robot puppy features sophisticated interactive touch sensors strategically placed on its body, allowing it to accurately respond to human touch and interaction. Advanced sensor technology enables intuitive and realistic responses that mimic the behavior of a real puppy when a user touches or touches the Genie pet.
Voice command recognition technology allows Jenny to understand and respond to verbal commands, creating an incredibly realistic puppy-like interaction. Users can give commands such as “speak” or “sit”, and Jenny will respond accordingly, giving a sense of real friendliness and responsiveness.
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To maximize authenticity, Jenny’s voices are carefully crafted from authentic recordings of 8- to 10-week-old Labrador puppies. These realistic puppy sounds create an incredibly immersive experience, making interactions true to life and emotionally engaging.
Robot Puppy is designed for practical, everyday use with amazing all-day battery life. Users simply plug Genie in overnight, just like charging a smartphone, ensuring their companion is constantly ready for a full range of daily interactions.
A standalone smartphone app offers users a wide range of customization options. Through this digital interface, owners can name their genies, personalize their activities and track daily interactions, adding another personal touch to the robotic pet experience.
Tombot is committed to continuous improvement by providing regular software updates that introduce new features and commands. This approach ensures that Genie is flexible and scalable with the ability to expand capabilities over time through simple application-based enhancements.
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Jenny’s effect on mental health
Jenny is specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with a variety of health conditions:
Dementia and mild cognitive impairment; Peer-reviewed studies indicate that robotic animals can help alleviate symptoms such as hallucinations and violent anger.
Stress and anxiety; Jenny offers comfort and support to those struggling with mental health issues.
Loneliness: A robotic puppy provides companionship to the elderly and other marginalized people.
Stress: Genie can help relieve psychological distress in long-term hospital patients.
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Future prospects
Tombot aims to register Genin as an FDA-regulated medical device, which could expand its use in hospitals and care facilities. With over 7,500 pre-orders from homes, hospitals and care centers, Jenny is poised to make a big impact in the field of robotic companionship.
A cost-effective option
Priced at $449, the Jenny offers an affordable and accessible alternative to live pet ownership. This is especially important for people who cannot safely or practically care for a real animal due to health or living conditions. To join Jenny’s waiting list, prospective owners can. Click on the link on the Tombot websiteAnd the company will contact you directly with specific pricing details and shipping availability as the next batch of products approaches.
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Jenny represents a major step forward in addressing the emotional and partnership needs of people facing cognitive and mental health challenges. By combining cutting-edge technology with a compassionate approach, Tombot has created solutions to improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.
Do you think AI robot friends like Jenny could provide real comfort and emotional support in your life or the life of a loved one? Why or why not? Let us know what you think by writing us. Cyberguy.com/Contact
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