"Loneliness quietly settles into homes where older adults live alone, where families are spread across cities, and where evenings can stretch out with no one to talk to. Technology has tried to fill that gap with video calls and smart speakers, but those tools are still built around tasks and commands, around asking for something rather than simply being there when someone needs company or a gentle reminder that they are not forgotten."
"An'An is a robot less interested in showing off and more interested in listening, remembering, and responding gently over months and years. It is a panda-shaped companion designed from the fur inward to offer long-term, stigma-free emotional support for people who might never ask for help directly, treating emotional care as something that can happen quietly through touch, voice, and the kind of daily rituals that build trust without demanding much in return."
Loneliness often affects older adults who live alone or have families far away, leaving evenings without conversation. Technology like video calls and smart speakers focuses on tasks and commands rather than presence or gentle reminders. An'An is designed to listen, remember, and respond gently over months and years, offering stigma-free emotional support through touch, voice, and daily rituals. The robot resembles a panda cub and uses biomimetic design because people relax more around animals than machines. Its body is handcrafted from Australian wool and sheepskin to invite stroking, hugging, and lap-holding. The soft, plush-like form avoids medical aesthetics and is tuned to trigger nurturing instincts.
Read at Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News
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