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Grace with Abi
Home / Insights / ＿

Grace Brown: Bringing robotic companionship to life

In the third of our series on the finalists of the Luminary Tech Visionary category of the Victorian Young Achiever Awards, we profile Grace Brown – mastermind behind Abi the humanoid robot and CEO and Co-founder of Andromeda Robotics.

Tami Iseli
Tami Iseli

09 April 2025

5 minute read

Older Australians are facing an epidemic of loneliness. According to researchers, more than 40 percent of people in aged care facilities experience chronic loneliness, a figure that is only predicted to rise in coming years. 

It was this disturbing scenario – and her own experience of profound loneliness during Melbourne’s extended lockdown – that led young engineer Grace Brown to develop ‘Abi’, a social humanoid robot designed to provide companionship and emotional support, primarily in aged care settings. 

A different kind of robot

“I knew there was a significant opportunity to create a robot that could provide more than just functional assistance,” says Grace. “It could bring comfort, companionship, and meaningful engagement to those who need it most. The idea of building a robot that could bridge this gap in human connection led to the creation of Abi.”

Derived from the term ‘Autonomous Bipedal’ (ABI), Abi is built to engage users on an emotional level. She combines robotics with AI technology to mimic human expressions, gestures and responses, making her a companion, unlike traditional utility-focused robots. Abi’s software allows for facial recognition, environmental awareness, and voice interaction, to facilitate a natural, empathetic connection with users.

Abi engages with users through conversation, games, and even physical gestures, with the aim of reducing feelings of isolation and providing a sense of comfort. Abi can dance, blow bubbles and speak 90 languages to help aged care residents and staff communicate, but most importantly, she can recognise people, understand emotions and can build friendships.

Abi blowing bubbles

“Abi has been designed to interact with each resident based on their personal cues,” explains Grace. “Whether it’s speaking their preferred language, engaging in daily prayers or simply listening to the same fond memories again, Abi creates meaningful connections with each person. Abi’s engaging design and playful nature make her highly relatable. She captures attention and sparks meaningful connections, even with those who have higher needs.”

The intention is that Abi will improve mental health, reduce depression, and enhance the overall quality of life for individuals in care. Abi’s presence also helps ease the workload of care staff, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks while Abi offers emotional support to residents who otherwise might not have regular human interaction.  

From humble beginnings

Grace with early prototype of Abi's legs
Closer view of Abi's legs

Grace with an early prototype of Abi’s legs. These photos formed part of her 2022 Tech Visionary Award submission.

Grace is no stranger to the Luminary Tech Visionary Award, having already been a finalist of the award in 2022. Back then, the Melbourne University mechatronics student described Abi as “a 24hr companion who can engage in meaningful and philosophical conversations with her users” and “give hugs”. In her submission, she spoke of her “vision for better health and wellbeing through robotic technology”, explaining that her inspiration for Abi was the character Baymax, from Disney’s Big Hero Six.

At the time, Abi was more of an aspiration than a commercial reality. She had begun ‘life’ as a student-run project, under the Melbourne Space Program. Grace was the leader of the multidisciplinary team behind Abi’s development. The students hadn’t quite produced their first ‘head-to-toe prototype’ and Abi was yet to be properly trialled in a real-world healthcare setting. Sourcing funds for the project was also a “huge challenge”.

Fast-forward four years, and the team behind Abi is struggling to keep up with demand. Scaling production is now their main challenge, as Andromeda (the company behind Abi, co-founded by Grace) works frenetically to source materials and manage the team’s capacity. 

“Since 2021, both Abi and Andromeda have thrived on strong customer enthusiasm, spurring continuous refinements to meet real-world needs,” says Grace. “We’ve also prioritised designing for manufacturing, streamlining assembly to handle growing demand without compromising quality.” 

Will Abi replace human contact?

While not directly inspired by The Jetsons, Grace’s vision for Abi conjures up images of the space-age cartoon family’s domestic assistant, Rosie the Robot. “I see a future where humanoid companions like Abi are as commonplace as smartphones – quietly woven into our daily routines, offering support, companionship, and a tangible quality-of-life boost for people of all ages,” says Grace. “Our long-term hope is that Abi becomes not just a novelty, but a trusted partner in every household, bridging gaps in care and connection.” 

However her comments beg the question: What about human contact? Are we destined to live in a world where robots could potentially replace the human connection – a prospect particularly troubling in the context of aged care?

“
We don’t see robotics as a substitute for human connection, but rather as a tool to amplify it.
Grace Brown

Grace’s response is resolute. “This concern strikes at the heart of why we built Abi. We don’t see robotics as a substitute for human connection, but rather as a tool to amplify it. Abi was always designed to be there for people who otherwise have gaps in their care or companionship. Sometimes human help just isn’t available, and we can’t ignore those who are left without any support. By focusing on the right values – empathy, safety, and quality of life – we ensure that technology remains a force for good. With thoughtful leadership and a strong moral compass at the core of our work, we can create a future where robots empower people instead of isolating them.”

Seeing how customers have embraced Abi is a key part of what fuels Grace’s passion for her work. “I’ve heard from individuals who were able to regain a sense of independence they thought they’d lost – whether it’s someone in a nursing home who just needs someone to discuss an idea with, or someone looking to dance the Cha Cha with. Each story reminds me that Abi is more than a robot; it’s a lifeline for many who haven’t had better options. And watching my team unite around this mission – pushing boundaries and celebrating wins together – has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”

In terms of Abi’s ongoing legacy, Grace sees the robot’s potential to have a positive impact on the world as ‘enormous’. “My dream is that in a decade, we’ll look back and realise that this technology sparked an era of compassionate, value-driven innovation – one that truly made people’s lives better.”

Grace’s advice for other tech startup founders

The biggest lesson Grace has learnt as a founder is that relentless perseverance is non-negotiable. “Founding a company is thrilling, but it can also be exhausting – mentally, emotionally, and physically,” she says. “There are days when you’re tired, burnt out, and everything feels like it’s on the line. Yet the difference between success and failure often lies in your determination to keep going in spite of it all. The best founders find ways to push through the rough patches, learn from every mistake, and maintain faith in the vision that set them on this journey in the first place.”

The winners of the Victorian Young Achiever Awards, including the Luminary Tech Visionary Award, will be announced at a gala dinner in Melbourne on 9 May.

Tami Iseli
Tami Iseli

09 April 2025

5 minute read

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