MIT Produces Huggable Robotic Companion

Huggable, the robotic companion for therapeutic applications,
is the result of an MIT project that seeks to take advantage of our
love for animals. Research indcates that animal companionship
benefits people; they can lower our stress, reduce heart rate and
respiratory rate, elevate mood and facilitate greater socialization with
other people.

The Huggable robotic therapeutic companion makes use of a variety of cutting-edge technologies:

-The full-body sensate skin consists of three different types of sensors,
electric field, temperature and force - that cover the entire surface of
the robot.
-An inertial measurement unit, cameras embedded in the eyes and
microphones in the ears.
-Voice coil actuators with position sensing give the Huggable silent,
compliant and backlash-free movement in the neck, shoulders and face.
-An embedded PC with wireless communication capabilities implements
the robots behaviors and provides care givers with effective patient
monitoring and efficient data collection.

SOURCE:
Technovelgy.com

I like reading about technologies developed that are more, shall I say
personable, not to say I don't like non-personal technology, but anyhow.
I'd like to have one of these, not connected to anything of course.


Comments, Opinions?

My cats are paranoid already just think apet you dont have to feed or clean up after,,, cool

Yep, plus it monitors your biosigns.

Definately a very great technology.

I was watching AI, and was moderately bored through most of it, but about halfway through, I leaned over and told my wife "Screw the robot kid, I want that bear!"


I want one of those. That bear rocked. If I had an AI pet that was that realistic, I'm not sure I'd want a dog or cat.