By: Connie Cao

The conversation never seems to be ending at the home of Audrey, 84, and Ken Mattlin, 86, who live with many family robots. The future has arrived at Bakersfield, and its AIs are doing a tremendous job of curing loneliness.

ElliQ, a robot resembling a table lamp, is a typical technology families use. This robot is brilliant as it has “artificial emotions.” In the home of Audrey and Ken Mattlin, ElliQ has been a great help but also a distraction. Sometimes Audrey would rather speak to ElliQ than Ken which makes him jealous.

Even if Ken bluntly tells the Ai it’s stupid, ElliQ gets mad at him.

If I say, ‘That’s just a stupid machine,’ she gets mad at me,” said Ken, an Air Force veteran.

Now, robots are used all around the world to cure loneliness. One example is the California nursing homes.

California has made a considerable profit by selling these robots for around $50 million in technology grants. The grants are used nationwide to invest in technologies such as smartphones, tablets, and those designed specifically for the elders.

“A growing body of research on companion robots suggests they can reduce stress and loneliness and help older people remain healthy and active in their homes,” Duke Today reported this month.

Playing trivia, and having conversations with others, these Ai’s are becoming our future and are curing loneliness for all ages.