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Will Robots Cheer Up the Elderly?

Posted by chrisd on from the rhetorical-question dept.

Drath writes "Researchers at Purdue University are conducting a study by placing Sony Aibo robots in a Lafayette, IN nursing home. They want to see if robots can make people happy. Lets hope they have robot insurance." Makes you wonder if the AARP will have a position paper on this. Hope when I get old(er) I'll have gold plated killer robots around for my entertainment. pycananthemum also was kind enough sent in a link to the Project page.

10 of 213 comments (clear)

  1. Well by MxTxL · · Score: 5, Funny

    Patch Adams seemed to work well for elderly patients, why wouldn't Bicentennial Man?

  2. Well, here I am, brain the size of an Aibo... by Bollie · · Score: 2, Funny

    Everyone knows robots can't make people happy. It just gives them a headache to think down to our level.

    At least, they opted for cute Aibos in stead of cute Marvins with Genuine People Personalities...

  3. I Have Serious Doubts AboutThis by macsforever2001 · · Score: 3, Funny

    This movie explains why I have doubts about this.

  4. All I can think of is... by DarkHelmet · · Score: 5, Funny
    Bender from Futurama meets Grandpa Simpson.

    Are they still showing reruns of Matlock in the year 3000?

    --
    /^[A-Z0-9._%+-]+@[A-Z0-9.-]+\.[A-Z]{2,4}$/i
  5. depends on the robot by maxpublic · · Score: 2, Funny

    If the robot is a cross between the Honda creation and a Real Doll, then yeah, I'm pretty damned sure this thing would make me right happy in my old age....

    Max

    --
    My god carries a hammer. Your god died nailed to a tree. Any questions?
  6. Re:BRITNEY BOT!! by Hieronymus+Howard · · Score: 3, Funny

    Viagra and Britneybots? Surely you mean sledgehammer and Britneybots. Though Willowbots are something that I could get very excited about.

    HH

  7. Re:Cynical by linzeal · · Score: 2, Funny
    Aibo=Electricity+Irregular Maintanence
    Dog=Food+Water+Grooming+Medical Care+Scooping Poop+Medical Care

    Aibo is cheaper everytime.

    --
    An Education is the Font of All Liberty
  8. Old Glory Robot Insurance by kikta · · Score: 3, Funny

    For when the metal ones decide to come for you... and they will!

    (Low bandwidth one here.)

  9. Robot Insurance by loydcc · · Score: 2, Funny
    Given my limited background in financial services I'm really surprised someone isn't selling policies with this kind of premium rider. I mean robots are showing up in the home. Wouldn't you want to limit your liability in case of tragic robot accident.

    Saturday Night Live was hilarious especially getting Sam Waterston to narrate. But still with robot lawnmowers selling in the surbaban marketplace I know I'd feel more comfortable about buying one if I knew I was protected from liability if the thing strays into my neighbors yard and takes out a 2 year old playing in her sandbox.

    It's only a matter of time before this kind of thing shows up in the newspapers. And if it doesn't happen to me I'll piss myself laughing at every headline.

  10. Re:Poor Elderly by GTRacer · · Score: 3, Funny
    Yeah, but, but...these Aibos...I dunno...

    Will they be trained not to hump people's legs? Frail bones, robotic strength, could be messy!

    GTRacer
    - C-3PO is rendered powerless to annoy if the audience is deaf

    --
    Defending IP by destroying access to it? That makes sense, RIAA/MPAA. Go to the corner until you can play nice!