Onconetix Launches UK Pilot with Realbotix Robots to Combat Elderly Loneliness
ONCO•Onconetix will deploy Realbotix humanoid robots in Northeast England care settings to provide companionship, cognitive stimulation and wellbeing check-ins for elderly residents. Realbotix is now an accredited supplier on Bloom’s public sector marketplace and its all-stock acquisition by Onconetix is expected to close in H2 2026.
1. UK Pilot Partnership
Realbotix and Bloom Procurement Services have established a collaboration to roll out socially assistive humanoid robots across care homes in Northeast England, aiming to reduce loneliness among older adults by supplementing human caregiving.
2. Pilot Design and Objectives
The evidence-based trial will assess resident engagement, cognitive health indicators, emotional wellbeing and staff feedback, with robots offering natural conversation, eye contact, facial expressiveness and routine wellbeing check-ins.
3. Bloom Accreditation and Procurement
Realbotix has secured accreditation on Bloom’s public sector marketplace, creating a compliant pathway for UK care providers to procure its AI-powered robots through established procurement channels.
4. Acquisition Structure and Timeline
Onconetix entered a definitive all-stock share exchange agreement to acquire 100% of Realbotix LLC, with the transaction anticipated to receive shareholder and regulatory approvals and close in the second half of 2026.
