Will Robots Cheer Up the Elderly?

Drath writes "Researchers at Purdue University are conducting a study by placing Sony Aibo robots in a Lafayette, IN nursing home. They want to see if robots can make people happy. Lets hope they have robot insurance." Makes you wonder if the AARP will have a position paper on this. Hope when I get old(er) I'll have gold plated killer robots around for my entertainment. pycananthemum also was kind enough sent in a link to the Project page.

Poor Elderly

[Anonymous Coward]

If their only company is C-3PO it's going to a lot worse for them, not better ....

Well

[MxTxL]

Patch Adams seemed to work well for elderly patients, why wouldn't Bicentennial Man?

Well, here I am, brain the size of an Aibo...

[Bollie]

Everyone knows robots can't make people happy. It just gives them a headache to think down to our level.

At least, they opted for cute Aibos in stead of cute Marvins with Genuine People Personalities...

I Have Serious Doubts AboutThis

[macsforever2001]

This movie explains why I have doubts about this. [robotcombat.com]

All I can think of is...

[DarkHelmet]

Bender from Futurama meets Grandpa Simpson.

Are they still showing reruns of Matlock in the year 3000?

depends on the robot

[maxpublic]

If the robot is a cross between the Honda creation and a Real Doll, then yeah, I'm pretty damned sure this thing would make me right happy in my old age....

Max

Re:BRITNEY BOT!!

[Hieronymus Howard]

Viagra and Britneybots? Surely you mean sledgehammer and Britneybots. Though Willowbots are something that I could get very excited about.

HH

Re:HUMOR, Terrible Secret of Space Song ;p

[Anonymous Coward]

Pak chooie unf, Pak chooie unf unf unf

We are the space robots, We are here to protect you, We are the space robots, We are here to protect you, We are the space robots, We are here to protect you, We are here to protect you, From the terrible secret of space,

I am the pusher robot, I shove around the blind people, We are here to protect you, From the terrible secret of space

I am the shover robot, I push bread down their throats, We are here to protect you, From the terrible secret of space

We are the space robots, We are here to protect you, We are here to protect you, From the terrible secret of space, We are the space robots, We are here to protect you, We are here to protect you, From the terrible secret of space, We protect you.

Space has a terrible power, We are here to protect you, Space has a terrible power, Do you have stairs in your house? ,

Do you have stairs in your house?

We are here to protect you, Pushing will protect you, Pushing will protect you, From the terrible secret of space , That is incorrect, , Shoving will protect you , Shoving will protect you , From the terrible secret of space

Do not trust the shover robot, Shoving is the answer, We are here to protect you

Do not trust the pusher robot, He is malfunctioning, We are here to protect you

We are the space robots, We are here to protect you, We are here to protect you, , From the terrible secret of space, We are the space robots, We are here to protect you, We are here to protect you, From the terrible secret of space, We protect you.

We are here to protect you, Shoving is the answer, Humans must be shoved, They must go down the stairs

You are mistaken, Pushing is the answer, Humans must be pushed, They must go down the stairs

Please go stand by the stairs, So I can protect you

Go stand by the stairs

Grandma is protected
Grandma has gone down the stairs
We are here to protect you, From the terrible secret of space

We are the space robots, Grandma is protected, , Grandma is protected, At the bottom of the stairs

I am the pusher robot, Shoving is the answer, I will shove grandma, Outside into the snow

I am the shover robot, Pushing is the answer, I will push snow, On top of grandma

I am better than the pusher robot, I am superior, I am better than the shover robot, He is inferior

We are here to protect you

Pushing is the answer, Shoving is the answer, I have pushed many humans, I have shoved many more

The humans are protected, Humans have gone down the stairs, The humans are protected, At the bottom of the stairs

We are the space robots, We are here to protect you

Our mission is complete

Re:Cynical

[linzeal]

Aibo=Electricity+Irregular Maintanence
Dog=Food+Water+Grooming+Medical Care+Scooping Poop+Medical Care

Aibo is cheaper everytime.

Old Glory Robot Insurance

[kikta]

For when the metal ones decide to come for you... and they will! [robotcombat.com]

(Low bandwidth one here [robotcombat.com].)

Robot Insurance

[loydcc]

Given my limited background in financial services I'm really surprised someone isn't selling policies with this kind of premium rider. I mean robots are showing up in the home. Wouldn't you want to limit your liability in case of tragic robot accident.

Saturday Night Live was hilarious especially getting Sam Waterston to narrate. But still with robot lawnmowers selling in the surbaban marketplace I know I'd feel more comfortable about buying one if I knew I was protected from liability if the thing strays into my neighbors yard and takes out a 2 year old playing in her sandbox.

It's only a matter of time before this kind of thing shows up in the newspapers. And if it doesn't happen to me I'll piss myself laughing at every headline.

Re:Poor Elderly

[GTRacer]

Yeah, but, but...these Aibos...I dunno...

Will they be trained not to hump people's legs? Frail bones, robotic strength, could be messy!

GTRacer
- C-3PO is rendered powerless to annoy if the audience is deaf