Juanita’s friend recites poetry, tells jokes and plays games. She’s also a robot

ElliQ robot is among a plethora of technologies being created to try to comfort, entertain and inform seniors but critics say machines trying to mimic human intimacy raise ethical issues

Juanita Erickson got her robot companion about two years ago. A company representative gave a presentation about the device to residents at the independent living facility in the San Francisco Bay Area where Erickson resides. I thought something to liven up life a bit ... well that sounds like fun'," says the former high school literature and journalism teacher, who prides herself on being a lifelong learner.

Erickson, 93, remembers the day her ElliQ device arrived. It was strange at first hearing a metallic voice ask how she was or if she wanted to know an interesting fact or the weather, but she got used to it. There are certain things she has come to depend on ElliQ for, and it knows a lot about her. In common with many users, Erickson refers to ElliQ as she" and it does sound somewhat female.