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Panasonic's 16-Finger, Hair-Washing Robot
angry tapir writes "Panasonic has developed a hair-washing robot that uses 16 electronically controlled fingers to give a perfect wash and rinse. The robot, images of which were distributed by Panasonic, appears to be about the size of a washing machine. Users sit in a reclining chair and lean back to place their head in the machine's open top. Two robot arms guide the 16 fingers, which have the same dexterity as human fingers, the company claims."
Yes, you can now be touched by the noodly appendages.
Healthcare/rehabilitation settings. People with limited mobility or missing limbs.
What's with all the comments saying that this is a silly/stupid/worthless invention? Panasonic has automated a dull task previously reserved exclusively for unskilled human labourers! This is /., when did we start longing for the manual human elements of mindless, repetitive work?
I, for one, wish Panasonic all the best in automating everyday tasks. I don't think I've seen a new machine to help with day-to-day life since the post office got an electronic stamp dispenser ten years ago. This is supposed to be the future!
When this thing has been field tested and gone down in price, you can probably find them at your local hairdresser's. Am I the only who'd like a two hour head massage for a handful of quarters?
Try do it with a missing limb. Or with atrocious artritical pains. /. customes, you may start reading the TFA until you hit: "to assist caregivers in hospitals and health-care facilities".
Then read carefuly the TFA. Actually, contrary to the
Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
Difference is that twitter doesn't hang it's boobs in my face when she's washing my hair.
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
The total sum is probably much higher, because this is aimed at Japanese market, where people are aging rapidly, while immigration laws are some tightest in the world.
As a result, there simply aren't enough workers to deal with the aged, typically at least partially disabled people. So the money has been thrown at robotics to do most of the carer's work instead. This is one of the examples.
Crushing a skull requires too much force, which such robot probably wouldn't have. It is easier to push it's fingers through your eyes ;)
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