The desire to age in one’s own home rather than moving to a nursing facility is a growing trend among older adults. According to a study by the American Association of Retired People (AARP), nearly 90% of people over 65 want to stay in their homes as they grow older. This preference has created a demand for home care agencies that provide assistance to the elderly during the day, typically for a few hours a day or week.
Sensi.AI, a technology company founded by Romi Gubes in 2019, has developed a solution to help home care agencies monitor the well-being of seniors virtually around the clock. Gubes was inspired to create this technology after discovering abuse in her daughter’s childcare facility. She wanted to prevent similar situations from happening to other vulnerable populations, including the elderly. Gubes, an engineer with a dream of starting her own company, came up with the idea of using audio AI to analyze the well-being of those who may not be able to advocate for themselves. She chose to work with audio because placing cameras in the home may feel intrusive to many people.
Applying this technology to home care agencies aligns with the growing desire for aging in place. While other solutions exist for emergency situations, such as fall detection monitoring, Sensi.AI provides a more comprehensive overview of the individual’s well-being. It can not only alert caregivers about emergencies like falls but also detect less urgent health issues like urinary tract infections and pneumonia. Additionally, it can track changes in activity levels, sentiment, and companionship, providing valuable insights about the person’s overall well-being.
Sensi.AI’s technology involves placing audio pods throughout the person’s home, typically in the bedroom, bathroom, and living/kitchen area. These pods continuously collect audio data and analyze it for any variations from the person’s baseline. The company claims to identify over 100 insights about seniors’ well-being, and its clinical care team, consisting of social workers, occupational therapists, nurses, and geriatrics clinicians, continuously develops new data points to track.
The demand for Sensi.AI’s technology is high, with over 80% of the largest homecare networks in the United States utilizing their services to monitor their clients’ physical, emotional, and cognitive needs. The company has experienced significant revenue growth, tripling its revenue year over year for the past three years. This growth has attracted investors, resulting in a $31 million Series B funding round led by Insight Partners and Zeev Ventures. With a total funding of $53 million, Sensi.AI plans to expand its services to other countries with the help of new funding and advancements in generative AI.
The use of generative AI has made it easier for Sensi.AI to launch new language models and expand its services to different countries. Gubes expressed excitement about the limitless possibilities for the company now that they can easily adapt to new languages. Currently serving home care facilities in the US and Israel (Gubes’ home country), Sensi.AI aims to leverage its new funding and GenAI capabilities to expand its reach globally.
In conclusion, the desire for older adults to age in their homes has created a demand for innovative solutions like Sensi.AI’s technology. By utilizing audio AI to monitor the well-being of seniors, home care agencies can provide comprehensive care and ensure their clients’ physical, emotional, and cognitive needs are met. With its impressive growth, significant funding, and advancements in generative AI, Sensi.AI is well-positioned to continue revolutionizing the home care industry and improve the lives of aging individuals around the world.
