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Duane Benson
A lot of the robotics invasion will be, as you say Bert, continuing evolution of ...
Bert22306
Well, you know, this "robotics" stuff is really just a continuing evolution. not ...
Robots making inroads in the home, study finds
10/26/2012 1:28 PM EDT
WASHINGTON -- As the U.S. population ages, proponents of robotics technology are finding growing acceptance of robotics technology to assist with household chores.
A study by Georgia Tech researchers released this week found growing acceptance of “assistive robotic” help over human assistance for performing routine but taxing chores like cleaning, laundering and taking out the trash. The survey of respondents ages 65 to 93 found a willingness to adopt robotics technology for 48 common household tasks.
Respondents were less enthusiastic about robotic assistance with personal care like getting dressed and eating or social activities.
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“The people we interviewed were very enthusiastic and optimistic about robots in their daily lives,” said Georgia Tech researcher Cory-Ann Smarr. “They were also very particular in their preferences, something that can assist researchers as they determine what to design and introduce in the home.”
The results of the robotics study were presented this week at a meeting of the Human Factors Ergonomics Society in Boston.
(Source: Georgia Tech)
The study also found that respondents expressed a willingness to use robotics to remind them to take medication, but preferred human assistance in administering medications.
Most of the respondents in the study said they were independent, and 75 percent said they are comfortable with technologies like cellphones.
The Georgia Tech assistive robotics study is funded by the National Science Foundation. A future study will focus on elderly adults who need assistance with household tasks.
Meanwhile, “Researchers should be careful not to generalize preferences when designing assistive robots,” concluded Wendy Rogers, another Georgia Tech researcher.
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SylvieBarak
10/26/2012 3:35 PM EDT
The Singularity is coming...
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner!
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10/27/2012 9:55 AM EDT
Is Apple really going away?
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Bert22306
10/27/2012 6:59 PM EDT
Well, you know, this "robotics" stuff is really just a continuing evolution. not something new.
We've had robots doing house chores for many decades. In the form of washing machines, dishwashers, garage door openers, kitchen dispoers, even vacuum cleaners. All chores that were previously done by people.
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Duane Benson
10/29/2012 11:46 AM EDT
A lot of the robotics invasion will be, as you say Bert, continuing evolution of the product we already have in our home. The big challenge, as I see it is with the steps in between.
For example, it's not a stretch to see the clothes washing and drying process being completely automated from the point at which you toss dirty clothes in until they are dry and ready to put away. In that stage, we won't even really notice because those things will be just more features thrown at us by the sales people.
We will have to sit up and take notice when we put robots outside of that - putting the clothes away, gathering the dirty clothes, distributing them to each respective family member.
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