Social isolation can be harmful to seniors and people with disabilities, but the technologies to address it raise questions about availability and affordability. Intuition Robotics yesterday said that its ElliQ AI-powered system will be available as a “Smart Care Device” to eligible Washington state Medicaid recipients.

“Our mission is to empower older adults with technology that fosters well-being and connection,” stated Dor Skuler, co-founder and CEO of Intuition Robotics. “Washington’s leadership in making ElliQ available through Medicaid sets a national precedent. We are confident that residents across the state will build meaningful connections with ElliQ and experience the benefits of remaining at home with confidence and dignity.”

“ElliQ is already deployed with thousands of older adults across the U.S., with the majority of users accessing the system through healthcare providers, aging agencies, and community-based programs,” he told The Robot Report. “These deployments have given us a strong operational foundation and real-world validation across diverse populations, including rural and underserved communities.”

Founded in 2016, Intuition Robotics said it is dedicated to empowering older adults to lead independent, connected lives through the development of AI-driven companions. The Ramat Gan, Israel-based company’s flagship product, ElliQ, provides emotional support, cognitive stimulation, and health and wellness assistance to older adults around the world.

Intuition Robotics addresses social isolation

A 2023 advisory from the U.S. surgeon general warned that social isolation poses serious health risks, including cognitive decline and rising healthcare costs. Intuition Robotics said it has designed ElliQ to directly address these challenges, complementing in-person care with AI-powered care and easy-to-use social features.

The system is intended to be empathetic and proactive, said the company. ElliQ offers daily check-ins, social engagement, and access to services, which Intuition Robotics said are essential for aging in place.

“ElliQ’s voice-first experience and onscreen instructions provide an intuitive, natural, and personalized interaction that was designed specifically for the needs of its recipients,” asserted the company. It uses AI to support daily tasks or health-related activities such as medication and appointment reminders.

The robotic companion can also initiate conversations, suggest personalized wellness activities, and engage in two-way dialogue for a total of 600 capabilities, said Skuler. The goal is to help adults with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities stay active and connected with family and caregivers.

“The Smart Care Device will help promote independent living, expand client options, and support self-determination that complement existing in-home care services,” said Intuition Robotics.

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Washington pilot reports positive results

The Olympic Area Agency on Aging (O3A) conducted a pilot program in 2023 with ElliQ for qualified individuals in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties. O3A reported that participants are engaging with ElliQ an average of 60 times per day, 100% found ElliQ useful in improving wellness, and 95% of participants said it reduced loneliness.

Eighty-five percent of participants noted that ElliQ is easy to use. Forty-three percent of participants said they feel safer, less lonely, and less anxious due to ElliQ’s presence and connectivity features to family, friends, and services.

In addition, participants in the Washington pilot program reported a measurable positive impact. They said medication reminders have led to improved health outcomes overall, along with decreased depression and anxiety.

ElliQ pilot program participants averaged 145 health-related activities and 130 wellness-related activities each year. Intuition Robotics said this demonstrated sustained engagement in practices such as exercise, mindfulness, and social connection.

After O3A’s pilot, Washington’s Roads to Community Living (RCL) program deployed ElliQ statewide. The process of getting Medicaid approval included public hearings and the creation of new codes, said Skuler.

“In other regions, ElliQ has been deployed through local agencies, MCOs [managed care organizations], social services, or county-level programs,” he added. “This marks a shift from capped deployments to a formalized, statewide reimbursement model.”

“The Washington Medicaid decision represents an important inflection point because it establishes a formal reimbursement model for AI-driven health agent at the state level,” Skuler asserted. “The goal is to replicate a similar pathway in other regions, adapting to each state’s regulatory and Medicaid structure while building on the precedent Washington has set.”

ElliQ lightens the load for caregivers

Caregivers can monitor engagement with the AI care robot, set personalized care goals, and receive proactive updates through the ElliQ Caregiver App. Intuition Robotics said this can help them stay informed, reduce stress, and focus on quality time with their loved ones instead of routine logistical tasks.

RCL and Community First Choice (CFC) are Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports programs administered by Washington state’s Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). They provide eligible individuals with service options to help them stay in community settings rather than receiving care in institutions like nursing facilities.

Medicaid recipients who meet CFC and RCL financial and functional eligibility criteria and are receiving services in their own homes can choose ElliQ as part of their care plans. Medicaid will cover the full cost and functionality, Skuler said.

“Deployment will be coordinated through case managers across Washington state, who will identify eligible participants through regular assessments and refer ElliQ to the relevant people,” he explained.

“This service roll-out represents a new chapter in how technology can extend the reach of Medicaid services, offering scalable, AI-driven care that complements at-home, in-person care and strengthens community-based support,” said Intuition Robotics.

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