Accenture has developed a videoconferencing prototype designed to sense when seniors are about to sit down for a meal. The technology then searches for someone on the senior's contact list who is available to dine at the same time. The result is that two parties, whether cities, states or countries apart, can virtually dine together.

Once a manufacturer further develops the prototype, the technology will take 18 months to two years to hit the market, Accenture executives estimate.