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posted by janrinok on Friday August 14 2015, @04:52PM   Printer-friendly
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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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 14 2015, @06:05PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 14 2015, @06:05PM (#222932)

    The moral? There are plenty of real dogs who need adoption. Adopt them first.

    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

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 14 2015, @09:45PM (#223022)

    As you enter|exit your apartment, just slip the pooch into your pocket. [strangecosmos.com]

    -- gewg_