The company that brought you Roomba, the little round robot vaccuum that robotically keeps the livingroom floor clean, is working on a bigger robot for home use: a healthy helper of sorts.
The company president, Colin Angle, recently told a writer that the Massachusetts company isn’t interested in developing robots for use in hospitals, but for home care. He calls the healthcare robots “telepresence robots” and suggests they could keep an eye on elders, monitor medication use, and perhaps provide exercise coaching and support.
The company already produces a robot for the military that can carry 150 pounds. Angle thinks the healthcare robot might be able to take on tasks like carrying groceries or even helping people out of bed!
Read the recent robot article here. In a time when it’s difficult and expensive to find home health assistance, perhaps a little mechanical help will aid independence!