IBM is working on a robot that takes care of elderly people who live alone

A prototype robot that could assist senior citizens by detecting vital signs. Fifty-year-olds, take notice: In a few decades you might have a robot roommate taking care of you. In conjunction with Rice University, IBM is developing a series of sensors that can someday live inside a robot interface to help senior citizens stay safe. Susanne Keohane, senior technologist at IBM Research, says the project addresses a growing need for technology that helps aging populations preserve both their independence and their overall health, while also avoiding disruption in their daily lives. "If you slap an Apple Watch on an 88-year-old, that's not feasible for most 88-year-olds," Keohane tells Business Insider.