AI-powered companion robots designed to support older Australians at home were among health technologies showcased at Melbourne’s AI & Robotics Innovation Expo earlier this month.
The event, held at Melbourne Connect as part of Innovation Week 2026, attracted more than 400 attendees and featured 21 exhibitors spanning AI and robotics.
Health-focused exhibitors included Vivenex AI – which demonstrated two units of its Emi companion robot – and Aurora, which showcased a contactless smart sleep monitor.
Built by a team of psychiatrists, Emi is designed for older Australians living at home or experiencing isolation. The robot includes fall and accident detection and a video-call function allowing family members to check in through its screen.
University of Melbourne Professor Jenny Waycott also spoke at the event about the use of companion robots in the home to help address isolation and loneliness.
The expo was co-hosted by AI venture builder AIBUILD, with its CEO Yifei Wang noting the event demonstrated the range of applications emerging from Melbourne’s AI sector.
“What stood out to us most wasn’t any single piece of technology, but the sheer diversity of it,” Mr Wang said.
“We had a robot people were queuing up to talk to and watch dance, right next to a companion robot built for someone’s home.”
The expo closed out Melbourne Connect’s Innovation Week 2026, which ran from September 7-11 and, according to event organisers, attracted more than 7000 registrations across more than 40 events and activations covering areas including AI, health technology and global health equity.
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