INTRODUCTION

Senior citizens may have difficulty keeping themselves busy and active, and companionships can encourage many seniors to participate in daily activities. This is particularly true if they are retired and live alone. Leading a secluded life can lead to a lack of desire to keep your home clean, prepare proper meals, and take care of yourself. This could lead to depression or the inability to socialize.
 
The 2012 film Robot and Frank imagined a near-future where ROBOTS could do almost everything humans could. Robot & Frank  focuses on Frank Weld, an aging jewel thief, (Frank Langella) whose son buys him a domestic robot.  Resistant at first, Frank warms up to the robot when he realizes he can use it to restart his career as a burglar.
 
UN report estimates that the number of people aged 60 or over will grow from 962 million worldwide in 2017 to 2,1 billion in 2050 and 3,1 billion in 2100. With increasing numbers of older people and a shortage of skilled labour, governments around the world may want to use robots to bridge the gap.
 
Science Minister Chris Skidmore said: “A staggering one in seven people in the UK are now expected to be over 75 years old by 2040. As our society ages, most of us will have to care for a loved one, whether it’s a grandparent or a parent or a partner.
 
“Pepper” from Middlesex University had been billed as the world’s first artificial intelligence robot  that is “culturally aware”. As she responded to questions from a committee of MPs by sticking rigidly to a script fed to her by her handlers before eventually appearing to nod off, it can’t be denied they might be on to something.
 
 
 
AI & US
 
A new research programme, launched by the British government, will aim to make autonomous systems safe and trustworthy for public use. Loneliness and social isolation are problems for many seniors, but studies have shown that help could come from social robots – autonomous robots trained to interact and communicate with humans.
 
SAM
 
The human-sized, smiling robot combines state-of-the-art technology to provide residents with frequent inspection and non-medical care. SAM’s main goals were to cope with the increased operating costs, staff turnover, accidents, and isolation of the elderly. SAM enables healthcare workers to guarantee remote monitoring, physical safety, and communication between residents, loved ones, and staff. The robot has a display and cameras that nurses can use to track and make sure they are good visually.
 
ELLI-Q
 
ElliQ is an “aging companion,” launched by Intuition Robotics, a start-up founded in Israel in 2016. Designed to keep elders active, independent, and engaged, ElliQ is a robot-associate named after Norse goddess that represents old age. ElliQ is a table-top that illuminates when you call it. Besides wellness and environmental monitoring, it uses machine learning and computer vision to provide proactive suggestions, entertainment, and activities.
 
ROBEAR
 
Sumitomo Riko Limited scientists have developed ROBEAR, a nursing robot that can do tasks such as lifting a patient from a bed in a wheelchair or supporting a patient who is standing but needs help.

ZORA
 
Zora is an interactive caregiver who joins residents in aerobics and singing, playing games and reading. Zora weighs only 5,7 kg and is just over 57 cm. While Zora is small, she speaks an impressive nineteen languages. Zora takes care of both children and adults.
 
iPAL
 
This mobile robot has legs mounted on wheels to move around the house. It can sing, dance, chat, and provide essential services. It has a wide range of motion in its arms and neck, built-in obstacle avoidance software, and a low gravity centre that increases its stability. It’s 3.5 feet tall, 27.5 pounds, and comes with a built-in camera, five microphones, and WiFi / Bluetooth capabilities.

CARE-O-BOT
 
Moin’s Care-O-Bot 4 is a mobile robot assistant to help the elderly in their daily lives. The new model has been updated to improve social interactions, mobility, and adaptability. A Care-O-Bot can speak through LEDs, sounds, speech-to-speech, laser, and body gestures. It is built on an open-source operating system that can be continuously changed and improved. Currently, Care-O-Bots have been successfully used in German, providing health care, companionship, and cognitive stimulation.

BUDDY
 
Blue Frog Robotics’ Buddy is an emotional companion connecting, protecting, and interacting with each family member. Designed to be a great companion for senior citizens, BUDDY can secure, assist, connect, and entertain elders at home or in older homes. He is also the perfect emotional robot to teach and play with special needs children.
 
CONCLUSIONS
 
Chatbots like Siri or Alexa are primarily used to look up information or do a task for you—answering questions in the shortest time possible," said computing scientist Osmar Zaïane, co-author of the study and scientific director of the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII).