First
robot rollout to 'assist' the elderly
It
can be a difficult decision as to what step to take next when our older loved
ones begin needing assistance in their daily lives, but a recent study from the
Georgia Institute of Technology may make the choice easier. The idea of adding
a robot to someone's household might seem far-fetched or futuristic to some,
but after this study, it's clear that robots could soon be computerized family
members.
The
Georgia Institute of Technology asked about two dozen adults aged 65-93 to
watch an eight-minute video about Willow Garage's Personal Robot 2. They
followed the video by asking the participants about their preference of robot
or human assistance in completing 48 unique tasks. The tasks ranged from such
things as entertaining guests to setting the table.
The
responses from the participants show that the older generation may not be as
"behind-the-times" as some might think. Overall, they showed a
preference to a robot's assistance in necessary activities in their daily
lives, such as changing light bulbs, cleaning the house, washing dishes, making
the bed, taking out the trash, and reminding them to take medications. Human
assistance; however, was preferred for social and decision-making activities:
cooking, entertaining guests, grocery shopping.
Additionally,
activities of a personal, intimate nature remain in humans' hands. The
participants were resistant to having robotic help with things like bathing,
walking, shaving, getting dressed, eating, and brushing their teeth.
The
researchers note that these results may be impacted by the lack of friendly
interaction between person and robot. The Personal Robot 2 (PR2) is meant to
perform specific tasks, and that's that. However, in the case of "social
robots," such as MIT's Leonardo, people develop personal relationships
with their assistant. They name their robot, dress it, and address it with
greetings and farewells.
Another
study called the Companion Able Project created Hector, a similar robot to PR2.
Hector is guided by remote control and smart home compatibility, and he
displays capabilities that are of great assistance to the elderly. He comes
when he's called, reminds you of your daily schedules and routines, tells you
when to take your medicine, and will even keep your glasses safe in his pocket.
He is also a safety addition to the household with his fall detection
capabilities. In emergencies - like a fall - he is connected to a remote
control center, and he can assess the seriousness of the fall and evaluate what
sort of help is needed.
It
might be mind boggling for many to think of adding a metal member to their
family, but the robotic technology is advancing rapidly and could prove
essential to some households.
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