A new artificial intelligence-powered robot, designed for seniors who live independently, has been unveiled by Tuya Smart at the IFA 2026 conference in Berlin. The robot, called Doova, is a wheeled AI home companion that can move through the home, respond when someone calls for help, and connect family members through live video when an emergency appears to be unfolding.
Doova uses LDS LiDAR to navigate around the home and a four-microphone system to determine the location of a voice. If someone falls or needs assistance, they can say "Hey Tuya, help," and the robot will locate the person and roll over to assess the situation. If the user does not respond within 60 seconds, Doova will start an emergency response workflow, alerting family members with a two-way live video call so they can see what is happening and arrange assistance.
In addition to its emergency response features, Doova can also be used as an AI companion, using a multimodal large language model to allow users to talk with it in a more natural way. The robot can carry on a conversation, play entertainment, and help make sense of confusing bills or letters. It can also identify potential scam risks, which could be useful for older adults who receive suspicious messages.
Doova can also be used to control a senior's smart home, allowing them to adjust connected lights or curtains with voice commands. The robot has a 10.1-inch HD display with animated facial expressions and a rounded design that looks like a friendly household companion.
However, there are still some important questions to be answered about Doova, including its retail price and availability. Tuya has not announced a release date or price, and it is unclear how the robot will handle real-world challenges such as navigating around furniture or responding to emergencies in a quiet or hard-to-reach area.
For families considering using a product like Doova to help their loved ones age in place, it is essential to carefully review the emergency response process, understand what data is being collected, and consider the user's comfort level with the technology.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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