In the movie WALL-E viewers were fascinated with the idea that robots can give people massages, cook for them and even clean up after them. However, due to rapid technological progression over the past years, the fascination continues as now a real-life WALL-E has been developed and is now accessible to humans all over the world. At the University of Massachusetts Amherst roboticist Rod Grupen and his collaborators have worked together on developing one of the most revolutionary inventions of the 21st century- the Ubot a robot that has been created to further help people in their every day lives specifically the elderly who have difficulties carrying out their daily activities. The Ubot device could help one complete a range of activities from helping you find your glasses to calling up people in times of emergency. The Ubot has wheels that allow it to move around as well as a webcam included within its structure that helps it view objects in order to pick them up, which is one of the famous features this invention entails. In addition to the around the clock in home assistance, the Ubot gives customers the ability to interact with people such as other family members miles and miles away. For example, someone over the internet can control the Ubot to search for their parents who are not answering their phone. If the person is not answering and it is in time of emergency the Ubot can on its own use a stethoscope and on its own send it to a healthcare professional; or if the person is unresponsive Ubot can perform physical examination. Grupen explained how this robot can help family members care for their elderly parents even if they live in another city,state,or even country. An experimental activity has been done and researchers are working on further developing this extraordinary invention by giving it its own ability to call 911. Therefore, the Ubot is truly a revolutionary device as it not only shows mankind’s progression in the fields of technology through the creation of the robot, but also it serves as a solution to major problem in the US, the majority of elderly people who are in need in healthcare and support. According to Grupen, “up to seventy million people will be moving into the main frame eldercare institutions we have to figure out different ways of doing eldercare in a distributed and more efficient fashion.” Therefore, a device like uBot may allow people to stay in their homes longer but still be cared for according to their needs, he says.
Sources:
http://www.sciencentral.com/articles/view.php3?type=article&article_id=218393123
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