Robot hears owner call for help, then video-calls relatives 60 seconds later

A cry for help in an empty home could prompt Tuya’s Doova robot to locate its owner and contact relatives within a minute. The company presented the device at IFA 2026 in Berlin as a support tool for older people, particularly those living alone.

When a user says, “Hey Tuya, help,” four microphones determine the direction of the sound. LiDAR sensors and AI-based posture recognition then guide the robot to the person’s location. If the person does not respond within 60 seconds, Doova starts a two-way video call to a relative. Family members can watch, speak to the user and arrange help.

The system does not call an ambulance or provide first aid itself. Its role is to create a communication link when a fall or another emergency might otherwise go unnoticed.

Tuya also presents Doova as a household assistant for everyday tasks. The robot can hold conversations, play entertainment, remind users about appointments and medication, help explain complicated bills or letters, and flag possible online scams. It can answer questions about smart devices, suggest meals and offer plant-care advice, although these remain AI-generated suggestions rather than professional conclusions.

Doova connects to Tuya’s smart-home ecosystem, allowing users to control compatible lights, curtains and appliances by voice. When owners leave, it can move between rooms, scan the space and send reports to a phone. It can also return to its charging station. The product nevertheless raises practical and privacy questions, including what happens when the connection fails or the robot cannot hear a call for help, and how users control the images and sounds recorded inside their homes.