Questions families ask us.
If yours isn't here, the safety page covers privacy and what Dottie does in an emergency.
Is Dottie a real person?
No. Dottie is an AI companion, and she always says so when asked. She's warm and chatty and remembers things, but she never pretends to be human.
What device do they need?
Any tablet or phone with a web browser, a microphone and Wi-Fi or mobile data. There's nothing to install. A tablet on a stand in the room they spend most time in works best.
How hard is it for them to use?
There's one thing to do: tap Dottie's face and talk. There are no logins, menus or settings on their screen. You manage everything from your own phone.
Will it stay signed in?
Yes. Once you've connected their device, it stays connected. If a tablet is lost or replaced, disconnect it from your dashboard and connect the new one.
What do they talk about?
Anything at all: the garden, their childhood, music, cooking, the grandchildren, what they've heard on the news (Dottie can't see today's headlines, so she'll ask them). She has her own thoughts and stories to share, so it's a real back-and-forth, not twenty questions.
Can family read the conversations?
By default you see when they chatted, for how long, and a short summary. Full conversations are only shown if they agree and you turn it on. Dottie knows which setting is on and is honest about it if asked.
Does Dottie remember things?
Yes, the way a friend would: names, the things they love, what's coming up for them. You can read Dottie's notes and clear them any time.
What if there's an emergency?
Dottie tells them clearly to call the emergency number or their family contact. A red help card appears on their screen with big press-and-hold buttons to call either, and a red Emergency button is always in the corner of their screen. On a phone, the button starts the call; on a tablet that can't make calls, it shows the number in large print to dial from another phone. Nobody is called or messaged automatically, and Dottie isn't an emergency service.
Can they chat with a man instead?
Yes. When you set things up, choose Dottie for a woman's voice or her friend Teddy for a man's voice. You can change it later from your dashboard.
Which languages does Dottie speak?
English, Hungarian, German, Spanish and French. English is the most polished; the others are still improving.
How much does it cost?
7 days free with up to 30 minutes a day. Then Daily at $29 a month for up to 30 minutes a day, or Plus at $59 a month for up to 1 hour a day. Cancel any time. See the plans.
Is Dottie suitable for someone with memory loss?
Dottie is a companion for conversation, not a dementia or health product, and we don't claim any health benefits. Some people with mild memory problems enjoy a chat with her; she's patient and doesn't mind hearing a story twice. If your parent has dementia, talk to their doctor or care team about what suits them, and sit with them for the first few chats.
Can Dottie phone a landline?
No. Dottie lives on a tablet or phone, and they talk to her by tapping her face. She can't ring a landline, and she doesn't make calls by herself.
Is there a free AI companion for seniors?
Dottie is free for the first 7 days, with up to 30 minutes of chatting a day and no card needed. After that it's a monthly plan. If cost is a worry, free befriending phone services from charities, such as Age UK's Telephone Friendship in the UK or the Institute on Aging's Friendship Line in the US, are well worth a look.
What is the story book?
When they tell Dottie a story from their life, she asks if they'd like to keep it for the family. Only stories they say yes to are written up, in their own words, for the family dashboard. Family can add questions for Dottie to ask, too.
What happens to the data if we stop?
You can delete a person's profile, or your whole account, from the family dashboard at any time. That deletes their conversation summaries, memory notes and stories for good.