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| Paro; A discussion of Japan's step into cybernetic pet therapy | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 5 2011, 10:52 PM (232 Views) | |
Cy-Fox
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Feb 5 2011, 10:52 PM Post #1 |
We are still watching
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 These two little furballs to the naked eye appear to be baby harp seals with pacifiers. But in reality, they are intricate robots created by AIST Corporation with a price tag of roughly $6,000. In its eighth generation, the Paro is being used to coax the elderly in relation to their feelings of isolation and abandonment. The Paro is capable of reacting to touch. It associates positive actions with the feeling of being petted by their principle and strives to act in this fashion. Negative actions are associated with being hit or other such feelings. It simulates emotion and is considered to be as close to a real baby harp seal with the exception of its obvious lack of biological constraints and having a reverse 'sleep cycle'. One must wonder though, while they're shown to succeed at the objective they were built for, why should we go to such an effort in comparison to providing flesh and blood animals for their care? A flesh and blood animal is considerably cheaper (if not free), but on the flip-side of the coin, they are limited by the needs of food, water, shelter and protection/response towards illness. But a real animal is a lot more authentic in their actions. There is no program that dictates their actions. Plus, one must consider whether or not having the elderly invest their emotions in a machine, substituting human contact, is really a proper course of action. Having experienced the death of my grandmother after being placed in a retirement home by a (in my opinion) unappreciative and lazy family, it really provokes a lot of questions about the way we're treating them. Pushing them away in itself is wrong. Pushing them away and dumping them on a machine seems all the worse. So tell me what you think guys. Cyberethics discussion ahoy! |
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| L Dragon | Feb 5 2011, 11:23 PM Post #2 |
Chaos Emerald
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I said it once before, and I'll say it again... Robots are going to take over the world. And THAT is going to be the big ending in 2012. Not some weird mythical hu-la. Stuff like this scares me to pieces... Not to mention the darn thing looks freaky as it is. But anyways, I'm not very insightful about this... Thing... Here... Nor is my input... Umm... Discussionable?*totally made up a new word* But yeah, pretty freaky if you ask me... Good find either way Cy! 
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| Lord Eileanach | Feb 6 2011, 07:05 AM Post #3 |
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I read the article related to Paro and whilst I admit I'm the same as Data it is a little unnerving because the idea of all these robots and then all the films that come out with the Robot Laws and how sometimes a robot turns bad and disobeys those laws... -shudders- I really don't see swarms of cute little baby seal robots killing off the human race though. Anyway back on topic, I think technology is a wonderful and I think it helps aid the elderly so much. I think a lot of people don't have enough respect or consideration for their peers and that is shameful. The fact that (in the article) an old woman in a nursing home can feel comfort and some "love" for an adorable little robot is just wonderful. I mean think of all the old folks right now who have a family who don't give a damn or are just incredibly lonely. This makes them feel less isolated and gives them something to love and look after. It may look stupid to us because we are younger but honestly, when I am older I'd love some companionship and a little robot who doesn't necessarily need fed and walked is a wonderful companion for elderly people who may have problems remembering to feed/walk their pets. I am not saying that all elderly people should be given one and as a result sat in a room with no more human contact. No, but I do think this will help for people who get lonely easily and make them feel a whole lot better or comforted. I know it would make me feel better if I were old and alone. I just don't think human contact should be removed from the equation either as that just feels like we are finding a way for them to have a not-so-lonely death and leaving them alone forever more. I think this Paro will be a great benefit to the elderly and help a lot. |
~Eileanach~ Oh, stop the world I want to get off! | |
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