Researchers Create Vomiting Robot To Analyze Contagions

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Researchers Create Vomiting Robot To Analyze Contagions

Posted by samzenpus on Thursday January 3, 2013 @05:36PM from the upset-metal-stomach dept.

iComp points out an interesting project in Derbyshire, northern England. "Bioboffins at the Health and Safety Laboratory in Derbyshire, UK, have developed a robot that can projectile vomit on command as a tool for studying the spread of the highly infectious norovirus. Reuters reports that the hyperemetic droid has been dubbed 'Vomiting Larry' by its creator, researcher Catherine Makison, who describes it as a 'humanoid simulated vomiting system.' The goal of said vomiting system is to study the reach and dispersion of human vomitus, which is one of the primary ways that diseases such as norovirus can spread. Norovirus is a fairly common viral infection that is sometimes known as the 'winter vomiting bug' due to its increased prevalence in the colder months. Outbreaks are generally triggered when humans ingest contaminated food or water, but can continue when subsequent people come in contact with surfaces that have been contaminated by the initial patient's effluvium."

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Also useful for studying by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-03 17:44 · Score: 0

.... how quickly the zombie plague will be spread amongst the world population. Now we just need a 'headshot' robot to practice with...
1. Re:Also useful for studying by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-03 17:47 · Score: 0
  
  .... how quickly the zombie plague will be spread amongst the world population. Now we just need a 'headshot' robot to practice with...
  Hehe this silly bastard regurgitated one of the memes of the day hurry up now and mod him +5 Funny before he gets discouraged.
2. Re:Also useful for studying by Cryacin · 2013-01-03 18:02 · Score: 1
  
  After his comment, the sales of regurgitating robots exponentially increased.
  
  --
  Science advances one funeral at a time- Max Planck
3. Re:Also useful for studying by pollarda · 2013-01-03 18:23 · Score: 1
  
  Since toy guns are now a major taboo, I think that a Vomiting Larry should be part of every kids playground arsenal.
Oh, great... by Shoten · 2013-01-03 17:46 · Score: 4, Funny

"Two bots and a cup."

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For your security, this post has been encrypted with ROT-13, twice.
1. Re:Oh, great... by ArsenneLupin · 2013-01-03 22:51 · Score: 1
  
  Except that the girls used chocolate ice-cream, whereas the robots use (produce...) strawberry...
Just what I always wanted: by Tablizer · 2013-01-03 17:54 · Score: 1

a Puke-A-Tron 5000

--
Table-ized A.I.
Old News by hyades1 · 2013-01-03 17:55 · Score: 2, Funny

We already have a vomiting robot. Every time my buddy mixes beer and wine, he turns into the ReTardis. We call him that because, based on production, he has to be larger inside than outside.

--
I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
More like... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-03 18:04 · Score: 0

Buffoons at the Health and Safety Laboratory in Derbyshire, UK"
Maybe I should brush up on my British slang.
Reminds me of... by WrecklessSandwich · 2013-01-03 18:19 · Score: 1

http://anarchycamp.tumblr.com/post/18845167175/ive-made-a-robot-that-screams-why
I've made a robot that s/screams/vomits!
Why?
Seriously, that's the best they could do? by Krishnoid · 2013-01-03 18:20 · Score: 4, Funny
- Barfin' Bender
- Chundering Cherry (2000)
- Emetic Eliza
- Gagging Gort/GlaDOS
- Heavin' Hal
- Puking Pintsize (I had trouble finding one for P)
- Ralphin' Rachael
- Tossing Terminator / Twiki
- Vomiting V.I.N.CENT
1. Re:Seriously, that's the best they could do? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-03 19:05 · Score: 1
  
  Vomitron
  Optimus Puke
  R2-D Spew
  This is fun.
2. Re:Seriously, that's the best they could do? by azalin · 2013-01-03 20:07 · Score: 1
  
  HAL Ninethrowsup
3. Re:Seriously, that's the best they could do? by Canazza · 2013-01-03 22:33 · Score: 1
  
  Upchucking UNIVAC?
  
  --
  It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for being subtle.
4. Re:Seriously, that's the best they could do? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-04 01:22 · Score: 0
  
  Chumming Charlie
  Hurling Hank
5. Re:Seriously, that's the best they could do? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-04 01:25 · Score: 0
  
  Does it head rotate 360 degrees and spew all over the room?
6. Re:Seriously, that's the best they could do? by scharkalvin · 2013-01-04 01:26 · Score: 1
  
  How about.....
  Astro Barf
  Retching Robbie
  Uran Upchuck
  Coughing Cobalt
  Maximilian Meltdown
  Deadly Data
7. Re:Seriously, that's the best they could do? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-04 01:43 · Score: 0
  
  Why do all sleazebuckets get called Larry?
8. Re:Seriously, that's the best they could do? by jmsp · 2013-01-04 03:56 · Score: 1
  
  How about Mr. Creosote?
9. Re:Seriously, that's the best they could do? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-04 05:16 · Score: 0
  
  The Technicolor Yawner?
  The Chunder?
  Ralph?
  Hurling HAL?
Huh? by WGFCrafty · 2013-01-03 18:24 · Score: 1

Why is it hyperemesis? Doe it puke like the chick from the exorcist with power washer strength?
1. Re:Huh? by Gordonjcp · 2013-01-03 19:38 · Score: 1
  
  Pretty much, and continuously. Have you seen someone with norovirus?
2. Re:Huh? by Gaygirlie · 2013-01-03 20:04 · Score: 1
  
  Pretty much, and continuously. Have you seen someone with norovirus?
  Funny thing about norovirus is that it doesn't really affect me. Like a while ago my roommate was totally devastated by it, but I only had slight fever, nothing else. I didn't even feel qualm :)
3. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-03 22:39 · Score: 0
  
  I had the Norovirus a couple of months ago.
  Was coming out both ends with the force of a garden hose. I didn't know which end to put on the toilet. My vomity chunks clogged up the sink, I had to swirl my hand in the sick in order to drain it.
  Also, it *really* hurt, especially the diaphram spasms (Squeezing both your stomach and your colon at the same time), that continued long after you had nothing left to give.
  Took me two days, half a bottle of Cilit Bang and copious amounts of Bleach to get rid of the smell.
  and I rarely get sick at all. Barely a cold in the last four years.
4. Re:Huh? by ArsenneLupin · 2013-01-03 22:54 · Score: 1
  
  Back end into the toilet, and at the same time, front-end into the bidet conveniently placed next to the toilet. Advantage: you can multitask. Disadvantage: yes, you do need to swirl...
5. Re:Huh? by MozeeToby · 2013-01-04 02:20 · Score: 2
  
  Yes.
  We had this hit after my sister's wedding a few years ago. It is an insanely bad 12-36 hours; I personally lost more than 10 lbs over the course of 24 hours (most of it water weight, but still). It's vomiting and diarrhea the like of which only exists in horror movies and it is insanely communicable. If someone around you has a case you will get it yourself. Hand sanitizers don't kill it effectively, it survives 12 hours on solid rock and 12 days on fabrics, and the shear force of the vomiting ensures that every surface in the bathroom will have trace quantities of the virus. Fewer than 20 virus particles can cause infection and infected people will be shedding detectable amounts of the virus for weeks after their symptoms disappear. While making a vomiting robot may be funny, it was probably thought up in response to anecdotes like this:
  
  126 people were dining at six tables in December 1998; one woman vomited. Staff quickly cleaned up, and people continued eating. Three days later others started falling ill; 52 people reported a range of symptoms, from fever and nausea to vomiting and diarrhoea. The cause was not immediately identified. Researchers plotted the seating arrangement: more than 90% of the people on the same table as the sick woman later reported food poisoning. There was a direct correlation between the risk of infection of people at other tables and how close they were to the sick woman. More than 70% of the diners on an adjacent table fell ill; at a table on the other side of the restaurant, the rate was still 25%.
  Knowing how vomiting aerosols virus particles and how/how far they travel could be extremely important to providing new recommendations of how to handle situations where people vomit. Do you scrub the entire bathroom down, bleach all the towels and clothes, and take a shower after someone in your household vomits? Because according to this research, if you want to prevent the spread that is what you would have to do.
6. Re:Huh? by Dins · 2013-01-04 04:33 · Score: 1
  
  TMI
IG Nobel Prize by fufufang · 2013-01-03 18:38 · Score: 2

I bet this will be one of the winner in IG Nobel Prize for this year.
Now that's science reporting I can get behind! by tchdab1 · 2013-01-03 18:39 · Score: 4, Funny

And definitely not in front of.
1. Re:Now that's science reporting I can get behind! by antdude · 2013-01-03 20:48 · Score: 1
  
  So you want a diarrhea and farting one? :P
  
  --
  Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
2. Re:Now that's science reporting I can get behind! by ArsenneLupin · 2013-01-03 22:55 · Score: 1
  
  As opposed to vomitting, and burping one...
They should have named it Hurley by toygeek · 2013-01-03 19:00 · Score: 4, Funny

subject says it.

--
Nobodies Prefect
Tidbits for Techs Technology Blog
Turing test by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-03 19:18 · Score: 0

Let's get this and a frat boy and do a Turing test.
1. Re:Turing test by dr_dank · 2013-01-04 02:01 · Score: 1
  
  ::begin subroutine:: If you wanna be cool and bang chicks like us, you gotta prove you're no homo by holding the cock of the guy in front of you and parading around campus. Sigma ruleZ!!!!!
  
  --
  Where does the school board find them and why do they keep sending them to ME?
Spewing grammar by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-03 19:31 · Score: 0

a robot that can projectile vomit on command
"To projectile" -- a new verbing of a nounback formation.
1. Re:Spewing grammar by Bill+Currie · 2013-01-03 19:47 · Score: 2
  
  I suggest you brush up on your grammar. "projectile" is being used as an adverb, not a verb. However, "projectile" and "vomit" together form a compound verb. No different to "nose dive" or "duck walk".
  
  --
  Bill - aka taniwha
  --
  Leave others their otherness. -- Aratak
2. Re:Spewing grammar by Sockatume · 2013-01-04 00:17 · Score: 1
  
  Leave the poor creature with its innocence, any person who has never had reason to meet the term "projectile vomit" has led a blessed life.
  
  --
  No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
3. Re:Spewing grammar by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-04 00:40 · Score: 0
  
  It sounds extremely awkward, to the point that I can't believe the author intended it as a compound verb. If that was indeed the intention (a compound verb), then it would be quite appropriate to use a hyphen to clarify it.
  So here's a vote for "grammatical error", either by honest mistake or poor English skills. Considering this is 2013, where grammar is considered "uncool", I'll go with poor English skills. (And I'm not the same AC you responded to.)
4. Re:Spewing grammar by Sockatume · 2013-01-04 04:58 · Score: 1
  
  No, it is a perfectly standard compound verb and you'll probably find it in whatever dictionary you have to hand. http://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=projectile+vomit%2Cdwarf+planet&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=
  
  --
  No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
5. Re:Spewing grammar by Sockatume · 2013-01-04 05:01 · Score: 1
  
  Actually, to emphasise the point, I'd recommend a medical reference dictionary.
  
  --
  No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
Why wasn't it named "Chunderball"? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-03 20:01 · Score: 0

You know, because they could? :-)
This is unethical! by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-03 20:18 · Score: 0

Poor thing.
Cake batter, anyone? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-03 21:30 · Score: 0

Someone provide a reference.
chicken egg by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-03 21:33 · Score: 0

The goal of said vomiting system is to study the reach and dispersion of human vomitus
Hu,
so to study how humans vomit, they build a robot simulating what they try to study, to study it!?
Based on what data did they build the robot, wouldn't they already need their answers to build a reliable robot?
What's missing?
Goal of the project? by kubajz · 2013-01-03 21:50 · Score: 1

I wonder what was the cost of building the robot balanced against the scientific utility. If the main finding is that it can vomit up to 3 meters far, how certain can they be that the distance is simulated effectively? Perhaps by comparing to "live" vomiters, but that would defeat the purpose of building the robot in the first place...? Also, I would assume that there is some probability distribution for the distance the vomit flies from different mouths (writing this sentence, yes I can see the IG Nobel nomination). Other than that, I guess the most significant other finding from the robot may be a model of the exact shape of vomit on the floor but I cannot imagine how it would help with finding out more about the spread of the norovirus... Would anyone know more?
1. Re:Goal of the project? by toonces33 · 2013-01-04 05:00 · Score: 1
  
  I had read somewhere that they had found that some of the vomit was in the form of an aerosol that spread in the air. They had used a fluorescent dye in their fake vomit to discover this..
  I guess it gives them a better idea how large a radius needs cleaning after someone with norovirus pukes.
2. Re:Goal of the project? by oldelpaso · 2013-01-04 07:08 · Score: 1
  
  I used to work at HSL, left about 5 years ago. It has an unusual remit. Its origins are in providing scientific support to the Health and Safety Executive (e.g. accident investigations, providing scientifically sound guidance to HSE inspectors etc.) but it does a lot of research into wider occupational/public health areas too. It also has some of the UK's leading experts in the effects of fire and explosions, and a fair amount of work done there relates to that - most of the fireworks authorised for sale in the UK get safety tested there, for example. It was a nice place to work, as there were always a bunch of interesting projects being done. The pay there sucks, but I kinda regret leaving, even though I now earn more.
  
  For many HSL research projects, the resulting reports are available on their website (generally those where 100% of the funding came from the public purse). There doesn't seem to be one about Vomiting Larry/norovirus available yet, a press release ( http://www.hsl.gov.uk/news/hsl%E2%80%99s-vomiting-larry-featured-on-the-bbc-website.aspx ) says "The outcomes of these studies have contributed to reviews of healthcare guidance in hospitals and are due to be published in relevant journals in the near future.", so seemingly not yet published.
  
  A list of publicly available HSL papers/reports from 2012 is at http://www.hsl.gov.uk/publications/bibliography-reports-papers-and-articles/publications-2012.aspx
  Where work was funded by or done in conjunction with HSE, reports are published on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/index.htm
Vomiting robot? by Andrio · 2013-01-04 01:28 · Score: 2

It's only a matter of time before this ends up in Spencer's Gifts.

--
The Internet King? I wonder if he could provide faster nudity.
1. Re:Vomiting robot? by toonces33 · 2013-01-04 04:57 · Score: 1
  
  How about the Apple store as an iBarf.
2. Re:Vomiting robot? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-04 05:01 · Score: 0
  
  Wouldn't it be great for parties? Just make sure the head spins and is painted green.
  Nathan
Should be scanned by Snufu · 2013-01-04 02:03 · Score: 1

for a stomach virus.
Garbage Pail Kids by gonzo_ks · 2013-01-04 02:36 · Score: 1

Am I the only one who feel these names sound like garbage pail kids?
Payback is going to be a bitch by tippe · 2013-01-04 02:47 · Score: 1

If robots ever rise up and squash us, it'll be because we did shit like this to them. Just watch, payback is going to be a bitch. First they'll puke on us, then they'll make us clean up their puke. Oh, the bitter irony...
Name that comes with video by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-04 02:51 · Score: 0

They should call it the Linda Blair, re "The Exorcist"
Mints by techdolphin · 2013-01-04 02:56 · Score: 1

Vomiting is caused by viruses. I thought it was caused by eating one thin little mint.
Sweet! I Should Get One! by Greyfox · 2013-01-04 03:06 · Score: 1

It'd be just like being back in college with my frat rat roommate! Hey Robot, want another beer?

--
I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?
Bulimic Bob by rtobyr · 2013-01-04 03:15 · Score: 1

It's in the title.
Article Correction by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-04 04:48 · Score: 0

Derbyshire is in central England, not northern.[1] Hence, Derbyshire is in the "midlands."
[1] I was born and raised there.
I never get invited... by toonces33 · 2013-01-04 05:05 · Score: 1

to those sorts of parties. Probably just as well - if I knew ahead of time that there was a puking robot, I might stay home. Or show up wearing a wet suit.
You could probably hook up the robot to work as a sort of fountain in a swimming pool however.
I'd rather see by CosaNostra+Pizza+Inc · 2013-01-04 05:42 · Score: 1

I'd rather see a robot that's fueled by alcohol, belches flames, is a kleptomaniac and has humorous catchphrases like "Kill all humans" and "Bite my shiny metal ass".
Strange Attractor: If I'm vomited on let it be her by neurocutie · 2013-01-04 08:24 · Score: 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s_BqdZrUbE (barfing barbie)
what a great christmas present for the kids!! by Anonymous Coward · 2013-01-04 11:15 · Score: 0

You could patent this and sell it in thinkgeek what a brilliant invention!!! It hurls many different types of food stuffs depending on whats been ingested imagine the fights kid to kid could have with robots that hurl at each other! Fabulous invention well done i salute you!!!
Get it on dragon's den!!! Can't wait to see bannatyne's face as the robot hurls everywhere, i want one!