Overview
Headquarters: Bristol, United Kingdom
Categories: Supported Living and Home Care Management (Non‑Clinical Operations); Screening, Monitoring & Telecare; Family Carers (Support and Care Management)
Core Product: GenieConnect (digital companion robot and remote care platform)
Introduction
GenieConnect, developed by Service Robotics Limited, is a pioneering digital companion robot and remote care platform designed to support older adults and people with learning disabilities to live independently. Combining companionship, communication, and proactive care features, GenieConnect provides a hybrid model of care that blends in‑person visits with remote monitoring and support.
At the centre of the platform is Genie, a voice‑activated companion robot that delivers reminders, video calls, wellbeing prompts, and entertainment. Genie is supported by a care portal for providers and a companion app for families, creating a connected ecosystem that links care recipients, professionals, and loved ones.
GenieConnect was created to address two pressing challenges in social care:
Loneliness and isolation among vulnerable individuals.
Workforce pressures in the care sector, where demand for services continues to outstrip supply.
By enabling remote welfare checks, medication compliance visits, and daily wellbeing prompts, GenieConnect helps providers deliver more care with fewer resources, while improving quality of life for recipients.
User Feedback: Strengths and Weaknesses
Feedback for GenieConnect comes from case studies (e.g., Shropshire Council, Caremark), recipient testimonials, and sector reviews (e.g., Home Care Insight). Overall, sentiment is strongly positive, though some caveats are noted.
Positive Feedback
Ease of use
Recipients and families describe Genie as simple and accessible, even for those with limited digital literacy. One family member noted: “I tried to get dad to use his iPad for Facetime, but he struggled with all the different buttons – Genie is easy for him to use and he knows how to use it.”
Companionship and wellbeing
Users highlight the positive impact on loneliness. Daily reminders, mood check‑ins, and video calls provide reassurance and structure. A recipient with learning disabilities commented: “Genie wakes me up every morning. Tells me it’s time for meds. Yes. I take them. Before I had Genie, taking tablets was difficult.”
Support for carers and families
Families value the companion app, which allows them to set reminders, monitor wellbeing, and stay connected remotely. This provides peace of mind and reduces stress.
Workforce efficiency
Local authorities report significant savings. Shropshire Council avoided £220,000 in costs and 10,815 face‑to‑face care hours in six months by using GenieConnect for reablement and welfare checks.
Hybrid care delivery
Providers highlight the ability to replace short, 15‑minute in‑person visits with remote welfare checks, freeing staff for higher‑dependency care.
Customer support
Testimonials describe Service Robotics as collaborative and responsive, with ongoing training and support for providers.
Negative Feedback and Caveats
Evidence base still developing
A 2023 Health Technology Wales report noted that while digital companion robots like Genie show promise, the evidence base on long‑term outcomes remains limited.
Connectivity requirements
Reliable Wi‑Fi is essential. Some users in rural or older housing stock report challenges with connectivity.
Initial resistance
Some recipients are hesitant about using a robot, requiring reassurance and training.
Integration scope
While GenieConnect integrates with provider portals and apps, interoperability with wider NHS systems is still developing.
Cost considerations
Smaller providers note that while Genie delivers strong ROI, upfront investment in devices and infrastructure can be a barrier.
In summary, user sentiment is strongly positive around usability, companionship, and workforce efficiency, while challenges include evidence maturity, connectivity, and integration.
Products and Capabilities
Genie (Companion Robot)
Voice‑activated, always‑on digital companion
Provides medication, hydration, and appointment reminders
Supports video calls with family, carers, and professionals
Offers entertainment (radio, music, cognitive games)
Mood check‑ins and wellbeing prompts
Designed for accessibility and inclusivity
Care Portal (for Providers)
Centralised dashboard for managing recipients
Configurable reminders, alerts, and care plans
Auditing and analytics tools for compliance and oversight
Enables hybrid care delivery (remote + in‑person)
Companion App (for Families)
Connects families and carers with recipients
Allows scheduling of reminders and wellbeing prompts
Provides real‑time updates on recipient responses
Offers reassurance and peace of mind
Remote Care Features
Medication compliance: Remote checks via video call
Welfare checks: Daily prompts and responses logged
Mood tracking: Supports early intervention
Reablement support: Encourages independence post‑hospital discharge
Interoperability and Standards
GenieConnect is designed as a secure, interoperable platform, with:
GDPR compliance: Encryption, secure hosting, and audit trails
Closed portal architecture: Data accessible only to authorised care managers
Cloud‑based access: Available via robot, portal, and mobile app
Integration roadmap: Links with care provider systems; NHS interoperability in development
Market Position
GenieConnect operates primarily in the UK, serving:
Local authorities and councils
Residential and nursing care providers
Supported living services
Families supporting older adults or people with learning disabilities
It differentiates itself through:
Companion robot design: Purpose‑built for older adults and people with learning disabilities
Hybrid care model: Replaces short in‑person visits with remote welfare checks
Proven savings: Demonstrated cost avoidance for local authorities
Focus on loneliness: Tackles isolation alongside compliance and monitoring
Scalability: Suitable for small providers and large councils
Competitors include Sensio, Tunstall, and Lilli. GenieConnect positions itself as the companionship‑focused, hybrid care alternative, particularly attractive to providers seeking to reduce loneliness while improving efficiency.
Implementation and Support
GenieConnect emphasises a collaborative onboarding process, with:
Training for staff, families, and recipients
Ongoing technical support and updates
Case studies showing smooth rollout in local authority settings
Dedicated account managers for providers
Providers report that while initial adoption requires reassurance, recipients quickly adapt and benefit from the system.
Security and Data Protection
GenieConnect prioritises data security through GDPR compliance, ensuring personal and health information is managed responsibly and in line with regulatory requirements. The platform employs encryption and secure hosting to protect data in transit and at rest, while role‑based access controls restrict visibility to authorised users only. In addition, audit trails and accountability logs provide transparency over system activity, supporting oversight and governance.
A distinctive feature of GenieConnect is its closed portal architecture, designed to prevent unauthorised access and strengthen overall system integrity. Together, these measures create a secure environment that supports compliance, accountability, and confidence in the protection of sensitive care data.
Conclusion
GenieConnect is a leading UK provider of digital companion robots and remote care platforms, offering a unique blend of companionship, communication, and proactive care. Its strength lies in combining human‑like interaction with practical care features, enabling providers to deliver hybrid care models that reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance wellbeing.
User feedback consistently highlights ease of use, companionship, and workforce efficiency, while challenges include connectivity, integration, and the need for a stronger evidence base.
For local authorities and care providers seeking a trusted, innovative solution to support independent living, reduce loneliness, and optimise resources, GenieConnect represents a credible and forward‑thinking option. Its emphasis on companionship, hybrid care, and measurable outcomes positions it as a key player in the UK’s digital social care market.
References
Service Robotics Ltd – GenieConnect Overview https://www.serviceroboticsltd.co.uk/genieconnect/
GenieConnect – Guidance for Caregivers and Recipients https://1.genieconnect.co.uk/guidance-for-caregivers
Health Technology Wales – Topic Exploration Report: Digital Companion Robots (2023) https://healthtechnology.wales/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/TER338-digital-companion-robot-v1.0-WEB.pdf
Service Robotics Ltd – Case Studies and Testimonials https://www.serviceroboticsltd.co.uk/
Home Care Insight – GenieConnect: One Solution to the Workforce Crisis? (2022) https://www.homecareinsight.co.uk/genieconnect-one-solution-to-the-workforce-crisis/
