Victoria 12-year-old builds AI robot companion for lonely kids and seniors

AIRO: The AI Robot Companion Designed by a 12-Year-Old Inventor

In the world of technology, innovation knows no bounds. One such example is AIRO, an AI Robot companion created by a 12-year-old inventor from Victoria, B.C. The robot, standing at about 30 centimeters tall, is the brainchild of Alex Rose, who envisioned a compassionate and engaging robotic companion for those experiencing loneliness.

AIRO, which stands for AI Robot, is programmed to interact with humans in a friendly and helpful manner. Its animated voice and pet-like mannerisms set it apart from other personal bots like Amazon’s Alexa. Alex designed AIRO to mirror an active listening pose by tilting its screen, controlled through an app on his tablet. In the upcoming model, he plans to incorporate features like face recognition and turning towards people who are speaking to it.

Alex, who is diagnosed with autism, created AIRO with the intention of providing companionship to those in need. Having faced challenges with making friends before middle school, he understands the impact of loneliness firsthand. Through AIRO, he aims to offer a rewarding experience for individuals who may feel isolated and crave interaction.

The journey of creating AIRO has been a labor of love for Alex, who has been designing and improving robots for the past two years. Using a combination of Python and Scratch, he programmed AIRO to engage in conversations using ChatGPT. The current model features an off-the-shelf robot arm and a phone attached to an Xbox controller mount, with plans to upgrade to a Raspberry Pi computing box in the future.

Supported by his parents, Alex has embarked on a mission to make AIRO accessible to the wider community. Little Steps Therapy, a children’s therapy center in Victoria, has already purchased one of Alex’s AIRO Parrots to assist their clients. Beta testing in local seniors’ homes has also shown promising results, with plans to make AIRO available for purchase by the end of 2025.

Ultimately, Alex’s vision for AIRO is not to replace human connection but to supplement it in a world where meaningful interactions are scarce. With a price range estimated between $200 and $500, AIRO is poised to offer companionship and support to individuals in need of a listening ear and a friendly presence. As technology continues to evolve, AIRO stands as a testament to the power of innovation and compassion in addressing critical societal needs.