Intuition Robotics, a Ramat Gan, Israel-basedĀ developer of an AI powered proactive care companion for older adults, secured a first closing of a new funding amounting toĀ $25M. In conjunction with the announcement, CEO Dor Skuler replied to our questions about himself, the company, the funding, and future plans.
Hi Dor, can you tell us a bit more about yourself? What’s your background?
I’m an entrepreneur with a strong commitment to leveraging technology to address critical social challenges in our modern world. Throughout my career, I’ve co-founded five different ventures, all of which have been driven by my passion for developing innovative solutions that harness the most advanced technology.
My most recent venture is Intuition Robotics, where I’m currently serving as the CEO and Co-Founder. At Intuition Robotics, we’ve developed a groundbreaking AI care companion called ElliQ, which is designed to enhance the lives of older adults by tackling the issue of loneliness and promoting healthy and independent living. My background and my open personal experience. has led me to recognize the importance of addressing this pressing problem, as loneliness among aging populations can have severe health implications.
Let’s speak about loneliness. What is the market problem you want to solve? What is the real opportunity?
Loneliness is a significant problem, particularly among aging populations. Research shows that loneliness can have serious health consequences, comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The healthcare system, including government agencies, is increasingly recognizing this issue and seeking solutions. ElliQ addresses this problem by providing companionship, cognitive and physical activities, and connections to family and friends. The opportunity lies in improving the well-being of older adults, enhancing their social connections, motivating them to lead a more active and engaged lifestyle, and ultimately contributing to their overall health and quality of life.
What are the features differentiating ElliQ from competitors?
Unlike many other solutions, ElliQ is designed to engage users over time, using a proactive approach to engagement. Its proactive suggestions and conversational capabilities foster a deep relationship with the user. Moreover, ElliQ’s integration of Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) enables rich and continuous conversational experiences, allowing for more contextual, personalized, and goal-driven interactions. These capabilities and unique features such as drinking coffee with ElliQ in cafes around the world or visiting a virtual art museum, bring ElliQ and the user close together, creating trust that allows ElliQ to motivate the older adult to lead a more healthy and engaged lifestyle.
You just raised a new funding round. Please, tell us more about it.
We’re thrilled to have secured a first closing of a new funding round totaling $25 million. This round was led by Woven Capital, the growth fund of Toyota, and included participation from Toyota Ventures, OurCrowd, Western Technology Investment, and other investors. The funding will play a crucial role in supporting our growth as we meet the surging demand for ElliQ in government aging agencies and healthcare organizations.
Can you share some numbers and achievements of the business?
Following a successful commercial launch, we’ve partnered with various government agencies across the United States, including the New York State Office for the Aging, the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County, and California’s Agency on Aging in Area 4. In the state of New York, ElliQ has demonstrated remarkable engagement levels, with users averaging over 30 interactions per day. Notably, it has reduced loneliness for 95% of users. These accomplishments underscore the positive influence ElliQ has on the lives of older adults.
What are your medium-term plans?
Our focus remains on advancing the impact of ElliQ and extending its reach. We aim to deploy more ElliQ devices to broaden accessibility, forge new partnerships, and continue our mission of empowering older adults to live independently while staying socially connected. Additionally, we will further integrate ElliQ into the healthcare ecosystem, tapping into the potential of AI and technology to improve health, wellness, and behavior change among aging populations. Our goal is to contribute to a brighter future for older adults by leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions.