Pecola (robot)

PECOLA (Personal Companion for Older People Living Alone) is a caregiving companion robot developed by Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). Designed specifically for elderly individuals living independently, PECOLA aims to integrate advanced technologies to provide safety, health monitoring, and social engagement functions.^[1]

PECOLA employs ambient intelligence and computer vision to assist older adults in their daily indoor lives. Key capabilities include fall detection via deep learning–based video content analysis, routine monitoring of eating and sleeping habits, and emergency notification through real-time alerts and two-way video communication with caregivers. In 2019, PECOLA received the CES Innovation Award in the Smart Home category.^[2]

Specifications

• Dimension: 450x900x450 mm (WHD).
• Weight: ~20 kg.
• DOF: Head 2DOF and differential-drive base (2 driven wheels)
• Moving Velocity: Maximum 0.8 m/s.
• Working Area: Indoor domestic environment, typical range within a 50–100 m² (540–1,080 sq ft) apartment
• Equipped Sensors: RGB‑D camera for computer vision, Wi‑Fi sensing module for respiration monitoring, microphone array, loudspeaker, touch interface, and integrated emergency call system

Functions and features

• Health and Safety Monitoring: PECOLA tracks meal intake through image-based portion recognition, monitors respiration during sleep via Wi-Fi sensing, and automatically initiates a call with family or emergency services if a fall is detected.^[3]
• Remote Engagement: The robot logs daily living patterns and shares updates with family members to support emotional connection and conversation.^[4]
• Entertainment and Service Integration: Beyond safety monitoring, PECOLA serves as a platform offering entertainment, social interaction, and integration with third-party services to enrich user experience.^[5]

See also

• Zenbo
• Taiwan Automation Intelligence and Robot Show