At the Humanoids Summit in London, robotics startup Andromeda presented its care robot Abi, a humanoid robot designed to support emotional well-being rather than perform traditional utility tasks. In an interview with Rocking Robots, Erika Choong, co-founder of the Australian company, explained how Abi is already active in 22 aged care facilities across Australia and how Andromeda aims to expand globally, starting with the U.S.
“Abi is a humanoid companion robot. Unlike many robots that focus on utility, Abi is designed around empathy,” Choong said. “We want to build a robot that people can connect with—someone you’d actually want in your home.”
Emotional Support
Abi stands out from many humanoid robots currently in development or trial. While industrial robots are often judged by their speed or strength, Abi’s purpose is emotional engagement—particularly for elderly residents in care homes who often face loneliness and isolation.
“We’re not trying to replace staff. Care workers are essential,” Choong emphasized. “But there’s a real gap. Staff are overwhelmed, and about 40% of residents in Australian care homes don’t get visitors. Some go days without speaking to anyone.”
Abi is designed to help fill that emotional void. The robot offers conversation, engagement, and companionship to residents—helping to combat cognitive decline and social isolation. One resident, Choong noted, had completed all levels of Candy Crush simply because no one had spoken to her for a week.
“That’s not the staff’s fault—they’re doing the best they can,” Choong added. “But it does show where technology like Abi can help.”
Cultural Customization
Abi’s current deployment is limited to Australia, but Andromeda plans to expand operations. A new office in San Francisco is set to open later this year, and there is growing interest from other regions, including Europe.
Yet, the expansion is not without its challenges. Abi’s personality—currently “sassy” and even slightly provocative—has been deliberately shaped for the Australian context, where humor and directness are culturally embraced.
“Her personality gets people engaged in Australia. But that wouldn’t work everywhere,” Choong acknowledged. “We’ll definitely need to localize her behavior for different countries.”
While cultural preferences differ, Choong sees a universal need for emotional support in elderly care. “Aging populations are a global issue. Whether it’s Australia, the U.S., or Europe—there’s a clear demand for more support in care environments.”
Diversity
Reflecting on the broader state of humanoid robotics, Choong expressed optimism but also caution. “There’s a lot of hype around humanoids, but we’re still in the early stages as a field,” she said. “Part of the problem is that many humanoids are being developed by people who don’t reflect the communities they’re building for.”
This misalignment, according to Choong, results in robots that people may find unrelatable or uncomfortable to interact with. She stressed the importance of user-centered design in broadening acceptance and usefulness. “The field needs more diversity—not just in teams, but in ideas, design approaches, and applications. There’s so much potential, but we’re missing some critical marks.”
Collaboration
Choong praised the Humanoids Summit for bringing together a variety of developers and researchers. “It’s been amazing to meet people, learn what others are doing, and realize we can help each other,” she said. “This really feels like a turning point for humanoid robotics—something big is about to happen.”
With the next-generation prototype of Abi set for release in two months, Andromeda is preparing for its next stage of growth. The upcoming version will be larger and have a more professional appearance, aimed at improving functionality while maintaining the emotional engagement at the core of Abi’s design.
