As the care needs of aging Americans mount, tech is emerging as an ally for strained healthcare systems, worried families, and the elderly themselves. Designed as a social companion, AI-powered robot ElliQ helps those in their golden years stay in touch with family and remain active.

Whether due to divorce, bereavement, or family relocation, loneliness is an everyday issue for many American Boomers. But as members of this aging cohort sharpen their tech skills, they’re being exposed to apps and devices that help them establish new connections both online and IRL.

Finding a mate is hard in the best of times, and in the pandemic it’s even trickier. In Japan, inventors are harnessing robot companionship to replicate everyday sensory moments of human interaction: they’ve created a robot hand to simulate the experience of taking a romantic stroll in the park.

Contrary to popular belief, a study finds that Americans are loneliest in their 20s and least lonely in their 60s, with societal pressures playing a big role. The research points to young people’s tendency to compare themselves to others, which has an effect on their mental well-being.