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posted by
janrinok
on Friday August 14 2015, @04:52PM
from the the-robot-uprising-will-be-cute-and-fluffy dept.
from the the-robot-uprising-will-be-cute-and-fluffy dept.
This is not a stuffed animal. It's not a toy. In fact, it's what researchers hope will prove to be a useful tool in helping victims of abuse and post traumatic stress disorder find relief.
Known as Therabot, this adorable robotic beagle is currently being developed at Mississippi State University's Social, Therapeutic, & Robotic Systems (STaRS) Lab, under the guidance of director Dr. Cindy Bethel. Its ultimate goal? To bridge the gap between two types of effective therapy: using real animals and their plush counterparts for emotional assistance.
Still experimental, but with a number of interesting ideas under considering. Also, take a look at the other shapes that the researches considered for Therabot before deciding on the beagle.
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When a Real Dog Won’t Do, This Puppy Bot Helps PTSD Victims
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The last time I saw him he was walking down Lover's Lane holding his own hand.
-- Fred Allen
(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Friday August 14 2015, @05:52PM
There could also be a lot of lawsuit potential in this.
Recall a prank by a bunch of performance artists who bought GI Joe and Barbie dolls with voice boxes, swapped those voice boxes, [nytimes.com] then put the dolls back on the shelves.
You had Barbie dolls saying, "Ataaaack!" and "Eat Lead, Cobra!"
How imagine if some prankster hacked the little doggies to sound like explosions and gunshots and, "It's the Hadjis! Man down! MAN DOWN!" with babies and people screaming and crying in the background and, "WHY, GOD, WHY?!" as diesel engines go roaring and sporadic gunfire and Arabic war-chants are heard in the background.
The moral? There are plenty of real dogs who need adoption. Adopt them first.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 14 2015, @06:05PM
Not all places allow pets. Thats why the title is "When a Real Dog Won’t Do".
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 14 2015, @09:45PM
As you enter|exit your apartment, just slip the pooch into your pocket. [strangecosmos.com]
-- gewg_