Will Robots Cheer Up the Elderly?

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.

Comments

Re:HUMOR, Terrible Secret of Space Song ;p

[Anonymous Coward]

shhhhhhhh

Old Glory Robot Insurance

[Ikari Gendo]

Let's hope they have robot insurance.

Mmmm, Old Glory Robot Insurance. Possibly the best Saturday Night Live commercial spoof of the 90s.

Old Lady #1: When my ex-husband passed away, the insurance company said his policy didn't cover him.
Old Lady #2: They didn't have enough money for the funeral.
Old Lady #3: It's so hard nowadays, with all the gangs and rap music...
Old Lady #1: What about the robots?
Old Lady #4: Oh, they're everywhere!
Old Lady #1: I don't even know why the scientists make them.
Old Lady #2: Darren and I have a policy with Old Glory Insurance, in case we're attacked by robots.
Old Lady #1: An insurance policy with a robot plan? Certainly, I'm too old.
Old Lady #2: Old Glory covers anyone over the age of 50 against robot attack, regardless of current health.

[ cut to Sam Waterston, Compensated Endorser ]

Sam Waterson: I'm Sam Waterston, of the popular TV series "Law & Order". As a senior citizen, you're probably aware of the threat robots pose. Robots are everywhere, and they eat old people's medicine for fuel. Well, now there's a company that offers coverage against the unfortunate event of robot attack, with Old Glory Insurance. Old Glory will cover you with no health check-up or age consideration. [ SUPER: Limited Benefits First Two Years ] You need to feel safe. And that's harder and harder to do nowadays, because robots may strike at any time. [ show pie chart reading "Cause of Death in Persons Over 50 Years of Age": Heart Disease, 42% - Robots, 58% ] And when they grab you with those metal claws, you can't break free.. because they're made of metal, and robots are strong. Now, for only $4 a month, you can achieve peace of mind in a world full of grime and robots, with Old Glory Insurance. So, don't cower under your afghan any longer. Make a choice. [ SUPER: "WARNING: Persons denying the existence of Robots may be Robots themselves." ] Old Glory Insurance. For when the metal ones decide to come for you - and they will.

Robot: Definition

[Anonymous Coward]

Robot: Your plastic pal who's fun to be with.

won't a dog be cheaper

[Anonymous Coward]

won't a real animal be cheaper.

Re:another way to marginalize the elderly

[Anonymous Coward]

>... i'll soot myself before i get old

For goodness sake, man! Don't soot yourself! Then you'll be old and dirty. Who will give you companionship then?

Just another spelling Nazi (One having a particularly bad day, at that!)

Re:I do not think humans should live amongst anima

[Bluetick]

After spending so much time with dogs, I have to say people are looking at this thing completely bassackwards. We should be replacing the humans with robots, not animals. Hell, here's a study, take a group of people students out of the country for awhile. Tell me why they get homesick, what they miss. Of the ones with pets, I guarantee a solid majority will say they miss their pets more than their friends and family. I myself have met very few people I would consider even half as nice a person as my dog.

Re:The double-edged sword of contact...

[Anonymous Coward]

Grandma: "CompanionBot!, CompanionBot!, speak to me. Dear God, I think he crashed."

Re:Well

[protein folder]

Worked well as what? Euthanasia?! You horrible, horrible person. Won't somebody please think of the elderly!?