Robotic Baby Seal Wins Top Award 86
SilentOneNCW writes "The BBC has an article up about everyone's favourite creature — the robotic baby seal. This seal, called Paro, is fitted with sensors beneath its fur and whiskers that allow it to respond to petting. The idea is that by utilizing these sensors and flapping its arms, it can engage in therapy for older patients in nursing homes. It has won a service prize from the Japanese government sponsored Robot Awards 2006. The awards were set up earlier this year by the Japanese government to promote research and development in the robotics industry. Robots are widely used in Japan and are seen as a way to help deal with an aging population, maintaining the labour force and helping care for the elderly."
Robotic club (Score:5, Funny)
Suggestion (Score:5, Funny)
The idea is that by utilizing these sensors and flapping its arms, it can engage in therapy for older patients in nursing homes.
That's a good start. Now how about a lap dance?
About time (Score:5, Funny)
The other robot in the article I can forsee stabbing stubborn old people in the face with a spoonful of peas, finally we have a viable alternative to passively torturing our old people, the game of "hide the dentures" was getting a bit boring.
Nice idea (Score:3, Funny)
My girlfriend tells me a story that when she went to Namibia, she went to see a beach where seals were having a sunbath. She had to throw away the clothes she was wearing that day because the smell would not come off.
I can't imagine the bad breath of a whale that eats these things.
I hope I never grow old (Score:4, Funny)
If they are condescending enough expect to stick me in some hole in the wall and pet a friggen robot doll, I'd tell them where they can shove it.
Well, unless they give me the source and a computer to hack it, then we may be able to talk. Throw in a deadly laser beam to stick on it's head and I just might wet myself.
Re:why? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:why? (Score:3, Funny)
No, these things will mostly be used by the manga/porn industry. They always have problems getting a tight seal.
Join the club (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Robotic club (Score:1, Funny)
This [tshirthell.com] seems appropriate.
Stupid joke... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Stupid joke... (Score:1, Funny)
"Please excuse my friend," the second string replies, "He isn't null terminated."
That's a fine way to treat the aged (Score:3, Funny)
Nurse: "Mr. Yamoto, it's time for your therapy"
The adorable robot seal flops into the room.
Patient: "No. Please no. For the love of god, don't put me in a room with that thing!"
Nurse: "Oh don't be a baby Mr. Yamoto, it's for your own good."
The robot looks at the patient and its eyes start to glow red.
Patient: "Anything but the robot seal! Anything! I'm begging you, please no!"
Nurse: "There's nothing to be afraid of. The seal just wants to be petted and help you"
The robot turns to the nurse and gives him an adorable, innocent expression.
Nurse: "See? Its harmless. The seal couldn't hurt a flea!"
The robot turns back to the patient and opens its mouth, revealing razor sharp steel teeth and a small amount of blood draining from the corner of its mouth.
The nurse shuts the patient in a small room with the seal. There's the sound of loud screaming for the next ten minutes, followed by silence.
Nurse (as he drags the patient's bloody corpse from the room): "Ahh, this new robot is great! Takes care of the fussy old folks like nobody's business!"
Re:Robotic club (Score:4, Funny)
You Linux guys are so speciesist.
Message to the Japanese government (Score:3, Funny)
Terms and Conditions (Score:5, Funny)