BERKELEY, Calif., Dec. 6, 2024 — Bamboo Technology, a mental health technology innovator, is participating in the UC Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program’s 19th batch. The company’s HereHear AI therapist will be the program’s focus, aiming to revolutionize mental healthcare with AI-driven virtual solutions.

To learn more about HereHear, please visit:

“HereHear has arrived in the US, and I’m thankful to the Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program for recognizing its potential,” said Lynia Huang, Bamboo Technology’s CEO. “Mental health is increasingly crucial, yet access to care is limited. HereHear uses AI to address this shortage, providing a first line of support.”

The growing need for AI in mental healthcare

Data highlights a critical need for public health initiatives prioritizing mental well-being. The Society for Human Resource Management reports that 44% of US employees experience workplace burnout. This, coupled with AI’s advancements, strongly supports AI’s role in providing human-guided mental health solutions.

HereHear’s YangYang: A personalized 3D virtual therapist

As organizations seek ways to improve employee mental health, AI offers on-demand, personalized support. More engaging than chatbots, HereHear’s 3D virtual therapist, YangYang (launched January 2024), provides:

• Advanced vocal and emotional analysis: Using professional assessment scales, it analyzes voice features in 30 seconds to detect stress, depression, and happiness levels, assessing verbal and nonverbal cues.
• Wide accessibility: Multiple languages and real-time, personalized support.
• AI and deep learning powered: Continuously learns from user interactions.

YangYang, deployed in various clinics, has helped 70% of users improve stress and depression levels by 25% within 3 months.

YangYang’s sheep form offers a comforting, therapeutic presence while reminding users their interactions aren’t with a human.

Expanding US market presence after Taiwan success

Bamboo Technology’s acceptance into the Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program is significant as it enters the US market. Selected as one of 117 startups from roughly 2300 applicants, the program will support HereHear’s development, piloting, launch, and funding pitches. The company aims to offer the app to HR departments as a privacy-focused, on-demand mental health tool for employees.

In Taiwan, hospitals, clinics, universities, public companies, and government agencies utilize the app, driven by similar mental health worker shortages.

About Bamboo Technology

Founded in November 2018 in Taipei, Bamboo Technology is a mental health technology company focused on improving public mental health using voice emotion analysis. They believe a universal, objective, scientific mental health system can effectively address declining mental health, a belief shared by their team of psychologists, social workers, and AI/big data experts.

SOURCE BAMBOO TECHNOLOGY LTD.