Balancing robot may care for disabled, elderly

253 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by RachelGS, Aug 19, 2006

SirPentor

Discussion Starter · Aug 18, 2006

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14388880/

Quote:

PITTSBURGH - Ballbot, a narrow, 5-foot-tall robot, balances delicately on what looks like a bowling ball. Swaying slightly on a laboratory floor, the aluminum-framed droid seems ready to fall at any moment.

But much like a circus animal balancing on a beach ball, Ballbot stays stable, its motors whirring to keep it upright.

Some experts say robots such as Ballbot might one day help provide care and companionship to the disabled and the nation's aging population.

Robots are awesome. Do they have laser-eyes?

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kelly81

· #2 · Aug 18, 2006

You know, this actually may be a good thing. I am sure an elderly resident, isn't just another number or aggrevation to a robot.

**I know there are some people that really love their job, and take great pride in caring for the residents, I was one of them, but there's many out there, that do not, I've seen it first hand**

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mama_kass

· #3 · Aug 18, 2006

I don't like the idea at all. Next they'll have robot nannies and school teachers. People are social animals and should be taken care of and care for other people. Where will it end.

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kelly81

· #4 · Aug 18, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mama_kass
I don't like the idea at all. Next they'll have robot nannies and school teachers. People are social animals and should be taken care of and care for other people. Where will it end.

I agree that people should be taken care of by other people....but when these people lack the care and cocern they should have, robots, could be a good idea.

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Danelle78

· #5 · Aug 18, 2006

This would be perfect for my grandmother.

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KnitterMama

· #6 · Aug 19, 2006

We don't need robots to care for our elderly - we need society to.

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KnitterMama

· #7 · Aug 19, 2006

Also should mention I'm a nursing student working as a nursing assistant at a Quaker-based lifecare community...I agree with what the PP said about a lot of people in long term care not caring, but that's rarely the people themselves. Long term care is notoriously overworked, understaffed - they generally get away with stuff you'd NEVER get away with at a facility that cared for younger, healthier people. It's crap. I love my residents, I really make great efforts to put lots of care in my care. Long term care needs some major, major changes ... our elderly people need other people, they need touch and feeling and compassion. We wouldn't feel this were an option for newborn babies who also need touch and compassion - why is it an option for the elderly?

PS-Robots are cool, they're just better at math.

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Ruthla

· #8 · Aug 19, 2006

I could see a robot like this assisting seniors (or others with disabilities) to live on their own longer, but I don't see it as a replacement for human beings to care for one another. It would simply be a tool to help some people retain their independence.

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RachelGS

· #9 · Aug 19, 2006

Quote:

We don't need robots to care for our elderly - we need society to.

Perfectly said.

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