LifeBio Memory — an AI-powered, multilingual app to make memory conversations more engaging
Official title: LifeBio Memory: Development of a reminiscence therapy online platform with machine learning to increase engagement
Funded at Lifebio INC · NIH-11253813 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project offers an AI voice‑enabled, multilingual app to help older adults with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers share life stories more easily and feel more connected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lifebio INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Marysville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $907,141 |
| NIH project number | 2R44AG069566-03A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11253813 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are older adults with mild cognitive impairment or at risk for it, including English, Spanish, or Korean speakers, and their informal caregivers who are willing to use an app or have someone help them use it.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced dementia who cannot participate in conversations, those who do not want AI voice cloning, or those without access to a device or support to use the app may not benefit from this project.
What this research studies
You would use an app that prompts and records life stories, with built‑in AI that can learn and recreate a loved one’s voice to make conversations feel more personal. The team will add Spanish and Korean language support and tailor content for African American users. First, small usability sessions with about 48 people will check how easy and satisfying the app is to use, then a larger randomized feasibility test will look at effects on mood, loneliness, relationship closeness, and quality of life. Caregivers are included so the app is tested in the real-world situations where memory conversations happen.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could make reminiscence sessions more engaging and reduce loneliness and depression while improving relationship closeness and quality of life for people with early memory loss and their caregivers.
How similar studies have gone: Reminiscence therapy has shown benefits for mood and social connection in prior research and LifeBio’s earlier tools increased engagement, but the combination of AI voice cloning and multilingual cultural tailoring is new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
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Lifebio INC
Marysville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sanders, Lisbeth — Lifebio INC
- Study coordinator: Sanders, Lisbeth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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LifeBio Memory: a friendly, AI-powered reminiscence platform for people with memory concerns and their caregivers
A home-based, AI-enhanced reminiscence platform called LifeBio Memory helps older adults with mild memory problems and their informal caregivers stay connected and improve mood and relationships.
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LifeBioTALK: tablet avatar conversations to engage people with Alzheimer's and ease caregiver stress
A tablet app uses a human-like avatar to speak, show videos, and interact with people living with Alzheimer's to reduce loneliness and make caregiving easier.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.