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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."
These robots obey the three laws, so one won't ever go bezerk and crush the skull of a human...
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The annoying small talk is why people first buy a flowbee and then later a regular razor. My gas pump doesn't ask stupid questions, neither does the self-checkout at the supermarket. I welcome these new robot hairoverlords and their lack of idle chit chat.
This is called Heights of laziness. Or it should be used for a person who don't have hands.
-V
From TFA
"The robot was developed to assist caregivers in hospitals and health-care facilities and is the product of a Panasonic program that is developing robotic technology for health care and welfare services."
"Panasonic said the robots are designed to provide a more comfortable life for the elderly and people with limited mobility while reducing the burden on caregivers."
Finally we have developed hair washing technology. I have struggled with this all my life, and Panasonic feels my pain. It is so confusing to was your hair, sometimes I use all 10 fingers (and thumbs), while other times I only use 6. I am unable to maintain consistency, and I'm never sure how much I should wash and rinse. Sometimes I don't rinse, other times I spend the rest of the day rinsing. The portability of this machine will make it practical in every day life, I could take it to work with me, take it on a holiday, and wash my hair to the machines content. Luckily the two robot arms have the same dexterity as human fingers, because my fingers have the same dexterity as robot fingers. In this way, we will be a perfect match.
THANKS PANASONIC, YOU'VE SOLVED ALL MY PROBLEMS!
This is my footer. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
One has to wonder... exactly what problem does this solve? In order for this to be successful commercially, it will have to cost less than the equivalent of paying someone to do the washing by hand. If you look at automatic hair driers which are fairly common in hair salons, it makes sense, because the cost of the machine is low compared to paying someone to do the job. This on the other hand I can't see ever being cost effective; the cost of the robotics, software and safety considerations are too high to make it commercially viable. Neat idea but hardly a successful, sellable product.
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?
This, and its usage, was pretty much covered in the latest episode of The Big Bang Theory.
Right, because I'm sure they spent extra money on motors with that amount of power in them. Seriously, do people worry that the little electric wheeled toys from McDonald's will go flying accross the room and put a hole in someone's leg???
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.
Within 10 minutes of this thing going on sale to the public, somebody's gonna have their dick in it.
I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
It is if you have musculary dsytrophy. Besides, robotics research will definitely help society in general in the future. Think big picture.
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
Invent a hand-job machine.
With 16 fingers...
No sig today...
These robots obey the three laws, so one won't ever go bezerk and crush the skull of a human...
I think that's precisely the point. It must be relatively easy to just not give the robot enough strength to harm a skull. So, you get a almost completely safe robot that handle's people's heads.
Five years later, the population becomes ready to accept robots in their homes. This is but a stepping stone to make people feel safe:
Head wash -> back massage -> chiropraxis -> open heart operations -> brain tumor removal -> handjob.
your gas pump doesn't pop up the "Do You Want a Car wash Today?" question?
I know its suggestive selling, but if I'd wanted a car wash I would have driven to the car wash, not the fuel pump.
Now, if I was asked if I wanted a car wash yesterday I would buy it just to see the results.
I sat down to write a new sig tonight and all I did was make the chair warm.
Will we have to tip the robot, and if so, how? Does it accept batteries?
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 ;)
Extreme Programming - Redundant Array of Inexpensive Developers
... Perry Bible Fellowship comic!
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Just remembered an old joke:
So they bring out a new machine to cut hair, it's a box with a hole in it, you stick your head inside and it cuts the hair.
Somebody asked a question: -But everyone's head is different.
The answer was this: -Only for the first time.
You can't handle the truth.