At Shepherd Village, Toronto’s largest non-profit seniors community, a white robot named Robbie has been part of daily life since May. The Scarborough-based facility uses Robbie, a GraceBot developed by Toronto’s GlobalDWS Corp., to engage residents socially through trivia, music, jokes, and storytelling. Staff report that the robot has contributed to increased interaction, laughter, and conversation among seniors, with 927 recorded interactions in July alone.
Estelle Brown, manager of recreation and volunteer services at Shepherd Village, says that the introduction of Robbie came after discovering similar social engagement robots at a conference. The goal, according to Jessica Kayitesi, assistant director of care, is not to replace human caregivers but to enhance the quality of care by supplementing human interaction. “We are interested in technology that meaningfully improves the lives of older adults in our care,” she said.
Canada’s aging population is a key factor driving interest in such technology. Nearly one in five Canadians was aged 65 or older in 2025, totaling approximately 8.1 million people, with that proportion expected to rise further, according to Statistics Canada. As families and care providers seek new ways to support seniors’ well-being and social connection, robots like Robbie are being explored as one potential tool.
The use of social robots in elder care is an emerging field. Lee St. James, vice-president of sales at GlobalDWS Corp., has been involved in developing these technologies since founding Social Robots in 2019. The company previously deployed Mindy, a robot designed for interaction through conversation, music, dance, and games, in pilot programs during the COVID-19 pandemic at Ontario long-term care homes. Feedback was positive, with 96 percent of participating residents indicating they wished to see Mindy again, and some who typically avoided exercise showing participation when prompted by the robot.
Experts see social robots as offering benefits such as increased social engagement, cognitive stimulation, and encouragement of physical activity. At the same time, researchers caution that robots should complement, not replace, human relationships. Lillian Hung, Canada Research Chair in senior care and associate professor of nursing at the University of British Columbia, notes that while residents often respond positively to robots, the value lies in their role as catalysts for human connection. “A robot can become a social catalyst,” she said, adding that ethical use requires transparency, person-centered design, and a focus on enhancing residents’ quality of life rather than reducing staff or social contact.
Beyond mobile humanoid robots, other AI-based solutions are being developed for seniors with cognitive challenges. One such device, the Amical phone, resembles a traditional corded phone but connects users to an AI companion capable of conversing in over 80 languages. Created by Amical AI co-founders Tony Aubé and François-Xavier Ratté, the device is intended for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and similar impairments who may experience loneliness and difficulty remembering visits from family.
Deployed in about 80 senior residences in Quebec and parts of Europe, the Amical phone is currently being evaluated in a 12-month study with Université Laval to assess its effects on loneliness, anxiety, and medication use. The company emphasizes ethical considerations by ensuring the AI companion does not impersonate human voices or claim to be a person. Aubé acknowledges the limitations of AI companionship, emphasizing that “it’s still so much better to have a conversation face-to-face with someone you can look and sometimes even touch and hug.”
As Canada’s senior population grows and long-term care systems confront increased demand, social robots and AI companions represent a developing avenue for supporting older adults’ social and emotional well-being, while experts stress the importance of integrating technology in ways that uphold human connection and dignity.