Wednesday, August 3, 2011

meet the next generation, our future care givers, ROBOTS!

Since man cannot create human empathy and love in a machine, soon The morning headlines will read: "care giver robot stepped on his master and crushed him, OR care giver robot picked up the wheel chair with the master in it and threw it in the trunk.... " What is with us mortal beings?

With an elderly population in need of nursing care projected to reach a staggering 5.69 million by 2015, Japan faces an urgent need for new approaches to assist care-giving personnel. One of the most strenuous tasks for such personnel, carried out an average of 40 times every day, is that of lifting a patient from a futon at floor level into a wheelchair. Robots are well-suited to this task, yet none have yet been deployed in care-giving facilities.

According to Science Daily (Aug. 2, 2011) — A new robot using high-precision tactile sensors and flexible motor control technology has taken Japan one step closer to its goal of providing high-quality care for its growing elderly population. Developed by researchers at RIKEN and Tokai Rubber Industries (TRI), the new robot can lift a patient up to 80 kg in weight off floor-level bedding and into a wheelchair, freeing care facility personnel of one of their most difficult and energy-consuming tasks.

1 comment:

  1. TIME FOR LAUGHTER:
    John McCain wants to suspend his debate with Barack Obama until the economic crisis is over. And Sarah Palin wants to suspend her debate with Joe Biden until she can find Europe on a map.-Jay Leno.

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