Parrots

Parrots Inc. is a company that develops assistive technology for people with disabilities, founded by David Hojah. Their primary product, Polly, is an AI-powered device that attaches to wheelchairs to help users communicate and navigate their surroundings. Polly uses machine learning to monitor, learn, and predict situations in the environment, providing a 360-degree view and intuitive navigation. The system incorporates facial, object, and speech recognition, and integrates with various platforms like Alexa. Polly can learn and anticipate a patient's needs, such as adjusting the thermostat based on facial expressions and body language. The technology is designed to be hardware-agnostic and compatible with existing assistive technologies like joysticks or eye-tracking controls.

As of January 2022, Parrots had over 200 early users, primarily individuals with multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The company's initial pricing model was USD 1,500 upfront followed by a USD 50 monthly fee, with plans to increase prices after reaching 500 customers. Parrots aims to make assistive technology more accessible and affordable compared to custom-made solutions. The company utilizes 5G technology to enhance its product capabilities and reduce costs for users and healthcare systems. Parrots is working on expanding its product line to cater to patients with conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Key customers and partnerships

Parrots has established partnerships with several organizations. Novartis and Verizon are partners and funders of the company. The National Science Foundation has also provided funding. In 2019, Parrots won Verizon's Built on 5G Challenge, which included mentorship and technological assistance from the telecommunications company. The first generation of Polly was installed at the Leonard Florence Center for Living in Chelsea, Massachusetts, with plans to deploy another unit at the Steve Gleason Institute for Neuroscience in Washington state. Parrots is in discussions with the Veterans Health Administration to provide Polly devices to veterans living with neurological disorders at Department of Veterans Affairs clinics. The company is also working on securing coverage for Polly through public and private insurance companies to make the technology more accessible to those who need it.