Panasonic's 16-Finger, Hair-Washing Robot 181
angry tapir writes "Panasonic has developed a hair-washing robot that uses 16 electronically controlled fingers to give a perfect wash and rinse. The robot, images of which were distributed by Panasonic, appears to be about the size of a washing machine. Users sit in a reclining chair and lean back to place their head in the machine's open top. Two robot arms guide the 16 fingers, which have the same dexterity as human fingers, the company claims."
Re:Luckily for us... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Finally! (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Problem solved? (Score:5, Insightful)
This is progress (Score:5, Insightful)
What's with all the comments saying that this is a silly/stupid/worthless invention? Panasonic has automated a dull task previously reserved exclusively for unskilled human labourers! This is /., when did we start longing for the manual human elements of mindless, repetitive work?
I, for one, wish Panasonic all the best in automating everyday tasks. I don't think I've seen a new machine to help with day-to-day life since the post office got an electronic stamp dispenser ten years ago. This is supposed to be the future!
When this thing has been field tested and gone down in price, you can probably find them at your local hairdresser's. Am I the only who'd like a two hour head massage for a handful of quarters?
Re:What could possibly go wrong? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:A hair-washing robot... (Score:5, Insightful)
Then read carefuly the TFA. Actually, contrary to the
Re:Problem solved? (Score:3, Insightful)
Indeed. We heard the same kind of critics when the electric wheelchairs came out, saying that they would cost more than hiring someone to push the person around.
Truth is that if this means a carer can take care of another patient during the 20-40 minutes this machine is massaging disabled person A, then that's 40-80 minutes gained; or some 10-20GBP. If this machine is installed in a home or institute, that would conservatively account for some 60GBP a day.
Not so ludicrous after all.
Re:A hair-washing robot... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Not the same (Score:5, Insightful)
Difference is that twitter doesn't hang it's boobs in my face when she's washing my hair.
Comment removed (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Problem solved? (Score:4, Insightful)
The total sum is probably much higher, because this is aimed at Japanese market, where people are aging rapidly, while immigration laws are some tightest in the world.
As a result, there simply aren't enough workers to deal with the aged, typically at least partially disabled people. So the money has been thrown at robotics to do most of the carer's work instead. This is one of the examples.
If you really want to make some money... (Score:3, Insightful)
Invent a hand-job machine.
With 16 fingers...
Re:Not the same (Score:2, Insightful)
your gas pump doesn't pop up the "Do You Want a Car wash Today?" question?
I know its suggestive selling, but if I'd wanted a car wash I would have driven to the car wash, not the fuel pump.
Now, if I was asked if I wanted a car wash yesterday I would buy it just to see the results.
Re:Malware on this thing could get really nasty .. (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:That's the point (Score:3, Insightful)
Head wash -> back massage -> chiropraxis -> open heart operations -> brain tumor removal -> handjob.
umm. I think I can speak for all present when I say we are more than comfortable with that handjob being available right now.
Ok; you put your stuff in the iron grip.
I'll keep it in my pants until I've seen it do neurosurgery on the president during an earthquake.