Robots As Helpers
When many of us were kids, we thought the future held jetpacks and helper robots for us. Helper robots, particularly, are appealing. It feels like, particularly with all the current advancements in robotics, we should have robots that can clean our house, make us breakfast, and select our clothing in the morning, like Rosie did on the Jetsons.
This comical video called "Thanks a lot, robot friend" highlights the issue with helper robots in a few seconds. The task the robot in the video is trying to complete is to pour a beer into a glass while holding something in the other arm. Upon attempting to accomplish this task, the robot pours beer everywhere after which it’s arm falls off. It may be absurd, but it demonstrates robots have a ways to go before they are able to perform even simple household tasks.
Washing Your Hair the Robotic Way
In spite of this comical video, some companies are creating robots that are more complicated and help people. Panasonic, for example, unveiled its Hair-Washing Robot last year. This robot wets, shampoos, conditions, and rinses your hair and gives you a little massage. Most of us do not need robots to assist with this. It was created for elderly people or people with limitations that may make such a simple task very hard.
The Robot Bed
Panasonic also came out with a robotic bed that transforms into an electric wheelchair. You can see how the elderly or disabled would find this very beneficial. So, there are some helper bots out there designed for people who actually need them, rather than those of us who would like to be lazy and not do house work. Regardless, it seems like we are well on our way to having the world of 1950s science fiction come into reality.
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