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uBOT-5 Makes Life Alert Look Like Crap
Posted by Sean Fallon at 10:30 AM on April 18, 2008
You're old, weak and your bastard kids want to put you in a home. The uBOT-5 could one day offer a solution that could help you maintain your independence without having to resort to depressing nursing homes or lame Life Alert badges. Thanks to researchers at the University of Massachusetts, their uBOT-5 robot is capable of picking up small objects, dialing 911 and even using a stethoscope to check vitals.
It could also be used to remind patients to take meds, pick up packages or other important errands. Plus, an integrated web cam, microphone, touch-sensitive LCD screen and Internet connection make it possible for doctors to conduct virtual house calls or for family members to interact with the patient from a distance (you can even play dress up with it!). Currently it costs about US$65,000 to produce a uBOT, but manufacturers have stated that it may only cost a few thousand to mass produce—and chances are that even those costs could be picked up by insurance companies. [LiveScience via Digg]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
utube2007
Posted 11:05 AM 18/4/08
Hey if its cheaper than the home
utube2007
strider_mt2k
Posted 11:02 AM 18/4/08
@Hiphopopotamus:
-and no one can destroy the metal.
the metal will strike you down with a vicious blow.
+ Watch video
strider_mt2k
Hiphopopotamus
Posted 10:59 AM 18/4/08
@strider_mt2k: And when they grab you with their metal claws, you can't break free.
Because they are made of metal. And they are strong.
Hiphopopotamus
Papsky
Posted 10:55 AM 18/4/08
"I've fallen and I can't get up!"
Should have bought the fuckin robot!
Papsky
strider_mt2k
Posted 10:54 AM 18/4/08
@Hiphopopotamus:
For when the metal ones come for you.
...and they will.
strider_mt2k
Palestina
Posted 10:53 AM 18/4/08
Basically is a robot to tell when u're dead. That's sad.
Palestina
fastthumbs
Posted 10:51 AM 18/4/08
Forget BigDog or that Japanese shopping bot - this is by far the creepiest robot I've ever seen. The proportions and the tiny video head are just too disconcerting. It looks like what Sid from Toy Story would make if he majored in robotics.
fastthumbs
Sloth
Posted 10:50 AM 18/4/08
The BIG question is, does it change your mom's Depends , put on Velcro shoes, and dispense Stool softeners? That is the $65,000 question!
Sloth
Hiphopopotamus
Posted 10:47 AM 18/4/08
NOOOOOO! They will kill the old people. Robots steal old people's medicine for fuel!
[www.robotmarketplace.com]
Hiphopopotamus
weatherman
Posted 10:46 AM 18/4/08
Robots mugging old people. I love it. So much less work for me.
weatherman
Jules Winfield
Posted 10:46 AM 18/4/08
I would like to be the first to welcome our u-Bot overloards....welcome.
Jules Winfield
GadgetPlay
Posted 11:56 AM 18/4/08
@Hiphopopotamus: I think they steal alcohol for fuel, the drugs are just for fun.
Get your metal paws off me, you damned dirty 'droid!
GadgetPlay
boe
Posted 11:52 AM 18/4/08
Does it hurt when I jab you with a knife here? How about here?
boe
Buford T. Justice
Posted 12:48 PM 18/4/08
...well we know Strider can't.
Buford T. Justice
strider_mt2k
Posted 12:47 PM 18/4/08
Can't we just talk to the humans?
A little understanding could make things better.
Can't we talk to the humans and work together now?
No, because they are dead
I said the humans are dead
The humans are dead
(I'll just confirm they are dead)
The humans are dead
(I just poked one it was dead.)
We used poisonous gasses
(With traces of lead)
To poison their asses.
(Actually their lungs)
Binary solo:
0000001
00000011
0000001
00000011
0000001
0000001
0000001
0000001
strider_mt2k
Buford T. Justice
Posted 12:47 PM 18/4/08
...but can it play Beamz?
Buford T. Justice
skittlzncombos
Posted 12:45 PM 18/4/08
Those hands look like they are for beating. And only beating. I'll take two for my grandparents please!
skittlzncombos
HonusWScruggs
Posted 12:57 PM 18/4/08
This isn't really all that connected, but I just did a Google search for the address of the home I grew up in, and it turns out the owners have turned it into a nursing home. They tore out the entire front yard to make into a parking lot.
...I guess this thing could spare others' childhood memories a similar doom.
HonusWScruggs
morbo
Posted 12:50 PM 18/4/08
Exterminate! Exterminate! Its a mini-me Dalek! Yikes!
morbo
dingus
Posted 1:46 PM 18/4/08
This robot scares and confuses former United States Surgeon General C. Everett Koop.
dingus
Sora57
Posted 1:27 PM 18/4/08
I envision the elderly person waking up in the middle of the night and upon seeing this creepy martian (and armed with a touch of alzheimers and a baseball bat), goes medievel on its ass. So much for $65K.
Sora57
tophtucker
Posted 2:14 PM 18/4/08
It should be a little disturbing that nearly every commenter seems to have come to more or less the same conclusion:
uBOT won't save that man, because it killed him.
tophtucker
bailey_ca
Posted 2:49 PM 18/4/08
I foresee a Robot Wars/Little People Big World spin-off reality show.
bailey_ca
GeekGoth
Posted 3:26 PM 18/4/08
h
GeekGoth
GeekGoth
Posted 3:26 PM 18/4/08
i think its now time for the 3 laws discussion..
GeekGoth
Set to evil
Posted 3:20 PM 18/4/08
That's not a robot! It's a punching Doctor puppet!
[www.flickr.com]
Set to evil
strider_mt2k
Posted 9:00 PM 18/4/08
@bailey_ca: Get well soon, Kenny Baker!
strider_mt2k
theespacepope
Posted 10:25 PM 18/4/08
So is Tracy Morgan the only option? Or can you upgrade to an actual doctor?
theespacepope
ViperBorg
Posted 10:09 PM 18/4/08
SkyNet is freaking popping up everywhere!!
ViperBorg
flyboy
Posted 11:00 PM 18/4/08
could wear a nicer shirt
flyboy
MarlboroTestMonkey7
Posted 2:13 AM 19/4/08
I can almost hear it laugh.
MarlboroTestMonkey7
deedrit
Posted 2:39 AM 19/4/08
Robocop 5?
deedrit
robinandtami
Posted 5:16 AM 19/4/08
Just so you know, not all nursing homes are depressing. I work in a wonderful facility. We have many residents who were well enough to go home alone after rehabilitation, but chose to stay because they enjoy the community life and feel safer knowing help is always near by.
robinandtami
riqgeez
Posted 6:08 AM 19/4/08
wtf! I don't know but that looks like a GayBot with that Lilac shirt on!
riqgeez
ntrgc89
Posted 5:44 AM 19/4/08
"It's time to take your meds Francine" -Robot
"I KNOW ALREADY WILL YOU QUIT REMINDING ME???"
ntrgc89
nutbastard
Posted 5:40 AM 19/4/08
@robinandtami:
"just so you know, not all nursing homes are depressing. I work in a wonderful facility."
i think he meant LIVING in one.
"but chose to stay because they enjoy the community life and feel safer knowing help is always near by."
i know what really goes on - you told em if they left their grandchildren would be murdered. awesome.
nutbastard
nutbastard
Posted 5:39 AM 19/4/08
because in your time of need, its nice to have a rock em sock em robot / 790 to... punch you.
nutbastard
OneEyedJack
Posted 10:19 PM 18/4/08
That guy looks like he's writhing around on the floor, in pain, while thinking, "I just got punched in the nuts by my HMO."
OneEyedJack
nutbastard
Posted 7:19 AM 19/4/08
@riqgeez:
and... you just outed yourself by being able to tell Lilac from plain old blue.
nutbastard
robinandtami
Posted 7:47 AM 19/4/08
@nutbastard:
Funny;) But seriously, they are not like they used to be (most anyway.) My facility has hi-def TV's, two Wii's, a dog, a cat, and even a pet squirrel. They go shopping, fishing, out to eat (the men's group likes to go to Hooters) and to the casinos. For many of them, it's like living in a hotel. Someone to cook for them and do their laundry, and BONUS, even wipe their butts if they need.
robinandtami
Valicious
Posted 11:31 AM 19/4/08
WTF.
Can't a walking-stick handle by itself contain all of the following?
heartbeat - check.
meds alert - check.
making calls - check.
picking small objects ( annoying kids on the street) - check.
Valicious
Diamondblade
Posted 4:14 AM 21/4/08
MORAL: You can't cut the boxing Terminators legs off and expect it to die.
Diamondblade
minjae0810
Posted 12:21 PM 18/4/08
i think the old people would pass out just looking at that
minjae0810