Jun 12 2008Robotic Dog Better Than The Real Thing For Combating Loneliness In Old Folks
Researchers at St. Louis University are using Aibo, a discontinued (maulings) robot dog from Sony to study how a robotic pet can alleviate loneliness in old folks. According to their study, a dog made out of metal and plastic is just as good as a real puppy. And possible even better since they could be fitted with sensors and shit to take a patient's pulse, blood pressure, savings account, etc. The video is a must watch, as the old people are the cutest bunch of nuts I've ever seen. I'm still skeptical about the whole robotic dog thing though. I mean, some crazy old bat brings a Big Dog home, and the next thing you know, dead old people everywhere. And then who would AOL sell their internet services to?
Robot Dog Therapy [sciencentral]
Thanks to Shawn, who knows how much I love old people and hate robots
Reader Comments
1. Alex - June 12, 2008 11:38 AM
No sh*t AOL's still around! I stopped paying attention to them when they stopped sending me free disks in the mail
2. the edge - June 12, 2008 11:53 AM
seriously, its only a matter of time before people will have sex with robots
3. feckless - June 12, 2008 12:07 PM
Lame researchers!! When I read the article, I pictured the daggett from Battlestar Gallactica (the original one) and then saw they tried to pass off that kitchen utensil looking thingy which is totally uncool.
My robot dog is going to look like Lassie. My real dog looks like Lassie.
4. Momboelitist - June 12, 2008 3:01 PM
"seriously, its only a matter of time before people will have sex with robots"
I certainly hope so! Imagine an android wife that has sex, gets you a beer and then goes into the closet to charge.....No bitching, whining, dragging you out to the mall after a 10 hour day.....It's like zanadoooo (if I could spell it).
5. feckless - June 12, 2008 5:02 PM
@4 Dare I dream? A handsome robot boyfriend to go shopping with me and only wants to have sex MY favorite way? AND he cooks and does housework? Life is good, there is a God.
6. Momboelitist - June 13, 2008 9:36 AM
@5, I'll be glad to have sex YOUR way.....Just ask.
Disclaimer:
Any advances I make toward other (female...I think) posters outside of SG are for entertainment purposes only.
Psst @5, *wink wink*
7. guate6 - June 16, 2008 12:09 AM
Yet MORE proof that the robot apocalypse is coming. It'll be just like in iRobot. This is not going to end well.
Give me life over machine any day.
8. guate6 - June 16, 2008 1:12 AM
Yet MORE proof that the robot apocalypse is coming. It'll be just like in iRobot. This is not going to end well.
Give me life over machine any day.
9. nathaniel - June 16, 2008 5:17 AM
does the narrator end the video by saying "i'm brad pitt"??