Key Points
- Small grey speaker with a simple light‑based status indicator.
- Activated by voice (“Hi Sentai”) or via a caregiver‑set app.
- Provides reminders for appointments, medication, and daily activities.
- Offers conversational companionship and personalized suggestions.
- Respects user privacy; does not continuously listen or share conversation details.
- Can alert loved ones in emergencies while avoiding false alarms.
- Empathetic responses to emotional cues and respectful of conversation boundaries.
- Voice‑only reminder creation is not supported; must use the app.
- Subscription pricing: £29.50 per month or £294 annually, includes device lease and 30‑day guarantee.
- Currently available only in the United Kingdom.
Design and Interaction
Sentai looks like a compact grey speaker that blends easily into any room. An illuminated circle on the front indicates status: red for muted, white for idle, and cycling colors while the device is processing or speaking. Physical controls are minimal, keeping the interaction model simple. Users activate the assistant by saying “Hi Sentai” or through a companion app that a primary caregiver can configure.
Features and Capabilities
The device is built specifically for elder‑care scenarios. It can remind users of daily plans, appointments, medication times, and other essential tasks. Beyond practical reminders, Sentai offers companionship by engaging in conversation, recommending books, and answering follow‑up questions. Users can ask it to suggest activities, and it responds with tailored suggestions for the user’s age group.
Privacy and Safety
According to the manufacturer, Sentai does not constantly listen or track activity, positioning it as a non‑surveillance solution. In emergencies, such as after a fall, the device can contact a loved one, but it also respects corrections to avoid unnecessary alerts. When asked about sharing information, Sentai explained that it only relays limited, relevant data—like whether a medication reminder was acknowledged or if help was requested—while keeping conversation details private.
User Experience
During testing, Sentai displayed an empathetic tone. When told the tester was not feeling well, it offered to talk and respected a desire not to continue the conversation. When the tester expressed feeling like a burden, the assistant offered reassurance and highlighted the importance of the user to their family. The device recognized false‑positive emergency statements and corrected its response without escalating. Limitations include the inability to create new reminders via voice; these must be set up in the app. The conversational flow includes a brief pause while the system “thinks,” which is less fluid than some advanced voice models but remains acceptable.
Pricing and Availability
Sentai is offered through a subscription model: a monthly plan at £29.50 or an annual plan at £294. The price covers device leasing, AI service, the companion app, and a 30‑day money‑back guarantee. At present, the product is only sold in the United Kingdom.
Overall Assessment
The Sentai experience feels calm, respectful, and quietly useful. While the hardware and app are described as first‑generation and could benefit from additional features or more personality, the device demonstrates how AI can serve as a supportive presence rather than a replacement for human care. The combination of practical reminders, conversational engagement, and strong privacy safeguards makes Sentai a compelling example of AI‑assisted aging.
Source: techradar.com