Robots caring for the elderly

The Washington Times ^ | 12-15-05 | Ann Geracimos

[JZelle]

Pearl the personal-assistant robot walks, talks and even blinks her eyes. She has ears, eyebrows and even lips of a kind on her mobile "face." To an infirm person living alone, this high-tech metal device that can dispense advice and even guide movements around the house is a substitute for an increasingly rare -- and expensive -- flesh-and-bones home health care worker. By providing visual and auditory reminders on when to take medicine or even go to the bathroom, Pearl can help a fragile senior maintain his or her independence outside an assisted living facility. The robot has a laser range finder and special navigational software to allow it to move and even create a map of its surroundings on a video screen in its "belly." The prototype costs $100,000, a sum that would be reduced to between $5,000 and $10,000 if it were mass-produced, say proponents, who argue this is considerably less than what a professional caregiver would cost. She -- or it -- is an example of a new generation of computer-generated wizardry that the corporate world, working hand-in-hand with nonprofit research institutions, sees as the future for millions of boomers who are caregivers -- and for aging boomers themselves, who most likely will opt for a degree of freedom and mobility in the face of their declining physical well-being.

[JZelle]

[Gordongekko909]

The prototype costs $100,000, a sum that would be reduced to between $5,000 and $10,000 if it were mass-produced, say proponents, who argue this is considerably less than what a professional caregiver would cost.

And on top of that, these would be reusable. They would go for even less in the secondhand market.

[beyond the sea]

Robots caring for the elderly

Gore blew off 2008 and got a job. Good.

[cripplecreek]

In 2005 Grannynet goes online. In 2075 it becomes incontinent.

[justanotherfreeper]

We're paying $50,000 a year for my mother in law's care (she has Alzheimers, so I'm not sure a robot would work.) But that's pretty standard for assisted living facilities, a robot like this would pay for itself in a couple of years.

[martin_fierro]

Me, I got FemmeBots.

[martin_fierro]

* S P E W *

[KarlInOhio]

But I've already bought Old Glory Insurance to protect me against robots. They eat old people's medicine for fuel.

http://www.robotcombat.com/video_oldglory_hi.html

[Dark Skies]

That ain't a robot! This is a robot...

[Frank_Discussion]

GMTA. Heh.

[Alouette]

I think that I would rather have a dog.

[najida]

Even better,
the robot wouldn't take out their bad day at home on their patient,
would do offensive jobs (like diaper changing, etc) as often as needed and promptly,
wouldn't need criminal background checks,
and wouldn't call in every payday or when they win 400 bucks in the lotto.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

One of the rationalizations for large-scale immigration is the need for workers to look after us in our dotage. Japan has virtually no immigration -- but several Japanese companies are investing heavily in the development of humanoid robots. Perhaps they're on to something.

[stylecouncilor]

ping

[Uncledave]

That's exactly what came to my mind! Classic skit.

"And Robots are strong. Their claws are made of metal - and they hurt."

[WasDougsLamb]

----You haven't seen anything until you see this one.
TURN YOUR VOLUME ON.


http://www.androidworld.com/prod19.htm

[Drammach]

So, instead of leaving their fortune to their cats, their will states it goes to their robot..
Then the court cases begin..

[windcliff]

I wonder if the robot can feed lots of cats?

[aimhigh]

bump for later view.