FARK.com: (6695668) Toyota unveils robots to assist the elderly. Available at no cost to Old Glory policy holders

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		Toyota unveils robots to assist the elderly. Available at no cost to Old Glory policy holders (abcnews.go.com)		61
		More: Scary, Toyota, Old Glory, domestic robot, commercial products, ASIMO

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4813 clicks; posted to Main » on 01 Nov 2011 at 11:18 PM | Favorite | share:

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jokker		2011-11-01 09:15:18 PM

Finally something shinji can feel comfortable doing

Djkb		2011-11-01 10:55:22 PM

Oops, I crapped my pants.

Point02GPA		2011-11-01 11:23:24 PM

I'd hit it!!!!

Enemabag Jones		2011-11-01 11:25:05 PM

How many people under the age of 30 will that confuse?

/I am confused.
//SNL used to be funny, I swear.

reveal101		2011-11-01 11:26:01 PM

I see my Falcon Punch Assist^TM is just around the corner. Look out, pregnant mistress!

monsatano		2011-11-01 11:28:28 PM

techbuzz		2011-11-01 11:29:16 PM

For the confused (new window) (SFW)

/nicely done subby

goatleggedfellow		2011-11-01 11:29:47 PM

I think they're gonna have to reinforce that thing before trying it on Americans.

Ooba Tooba		2011-11-01 11:31:54 PM

Little too much 'colon blow' this morning, djkb?

Threadslayer		2011-11-01 11:37:38 PM

This is mainly cuz the japanese are so incredibly racist that they dont want to fret about the possibility of a korean getting kim chi jeebies on their ancient father while theyre working.

vexle		2011-11-01 11:39:49 PM

Threadslayer: This is mainly cuz the japanese are so incredibly racist that they dont want to fret about the possibility of a korean getting kim chi jeebies on their ancient father while theyre working.

7/10! I feel strangely offended and I don't even really know what those words mean.

Weatherkiss		2011-11-01 11:41:17 PM

And they feed on medicine for energy.

Cubicle Jockey		2011-11-01 11:41:38 PM

/obligatory

William Wonka		2011-11-01 11:49:12 PM

Nice one Subby!

Sarah Palin's Conscience		2011-11-01 11:53:39 PM

fugeeface		2011-11-01 11:54:48 PM

+1 subby

frostus		2011-11-01 11:57:54 PM

Well done, robot submitter!

Threadslayer		2011-11-01 11:58:38 PM

vexle: Threadslayer: This is mainly cuz the japanese are so incredibly racist that they dont want to fret about the possibility of a korean getting kim chi jeebies on their ancient father while theyre working.

7/10! I feel strangely offended and I don't even really know what those words mean.

Sorry, didn't mean to be obtuse. This is a real phenomenon. Caretaker robots don't make any kind of economic sense compared to a human caretaker. What they do offer is a sensible solution for keeping a potentially non-Japanese individual out of the household.

Link

MountainClimber		2011-11-02 12:03:18 AM

Pusher and Shover models ??

Fark Me To Tears		2011-11-02 12:04:02 AM

They may have success with this in Japan, but it'll never fly here, at least not with anyone who's not rich and can afford to pay for it outright. The old people -- who now make up a larger percentage of the voting population -- keep voting for politicians who want to do away with Medicare, so Medicare will never cover such a luxury. Plus, the US distributors for these devices will charge such a high mark-up for them that non-government health insurers probably won't cover them either.

But at least the people of Japan will get a cool new medical technology to help their elderly folks. I hope it works out for them.

Enemabag Jones		2011-11-02 12:04:15 AM

I have this idea that someday SNL might be accidently become funny again.

Loren Michaels might eventually step down, writers will stop phoning in slick sophoric comedy that barely registers a laugh, they will stop hiring smug comedians like Andy Samberg, and edgy musical acts might be the rule and not he exception.

A new producer would wipe the slate clean and they accidently be funny again.

/Then again, with so many media sources out there, does it matter?

Incontinent_dog_and_monkey_rodeo		2011-11-02 12:05:20 AM

Why don't caretaker robots make sense? Mass produced they'd be a damn sight cheaper than having a human around that consumes far more energy. And a robot is there 24/7. For humans to provide that care takes at least 3 people. Not cheap.

HoFChaos		2011-11-02 12:07:08 AM

I am the shover robot.

Ramsay		2011-11-02 12:07:08 AM

Link (new window)

/somewhat relevant

dennilfloss		2011-11-02 12:08:52 AM

"We can rebuild him. We have the technology."

Krieghund		2011-11-02 12:09:16 AM

Sarah Palin's Conscience: Threadslayer: This is mainly cuz the japanese are so incredibly racist that they dont want to fret about the possibility of a korean getting kim chi jeebies on their ancient father while theyre working.

To be fair, kim chee is very smelly.

The Japanese have their own version of kim chee, so that isn't the greatest example.

But Threadslayer is correct. I don't see what the big deal is though. The Japanese don't want Koreans touching their old people, so they use robots. We Americans don't want to touch our old people, so we use Mexicans.

Shedim		2011-11-02 12:10:52 AM

How long before they program a robot to assist the elderly get a "happy ending?"

boomm		2011-11-02 12:28:35 AM

Fark Me To Tears: They may have success with this in Japan, but it'll never fly here, at least not with anyone who's not rich and can afford to pay for it outright. The old people -- who now make up a larger percentage of the voting population -- keep voting for politicians who want to do away with Medicare, so Medicare will never cover such a luxury. Plus, the US distributors for these devices will charge such a high mark-up for them that non-government health insurers probably won't cover them either.

But at least the people of Japan will get a cool new medical technology to help their elderly folks. I hope it works out for them.

Well, over here you can buy it easily on an installment plan. Don't worry so much about the cost. The Union allows a very generous 90 days in it's delinquency policy.

You owe it to your family. You owe it to yourself.

cowgirl toffee		2011-11-02 12:39:36 AM

What about elderly robots? Anyone think of them?

AcneVulgaris		2011-11-02 12:43:19 AM

Medicine theft could get to be a real problem.

SVenus		2011-11-02 12:43:41 AM

I'll believe robots are useful when they're used to clean up after nuclear accidents.

cuzsis		2011-11-02 12:45:41 AM

Threadslayer: vexle: Threadslayer: This is mainly cuz the japanese are so incredibly racist that they dont want to fret about the possibility of a korean getting kim chi jeebies on their ancient father while theyre working.

7/10! I feel strangely offended and I don't even really know what those words mean.

Sorry, didn't mean to be obtuse. This is a real phenomenon. Caretaker robots don't make any kind of economic sense compared to a human caretaker. What they do offer is a sensible solution for keeping a potentially non-Japanese individual out of the household.

Link

I dunno...

Not having to worry about being robbed by a robot.
Not having to worry about a lazy robot that leaves grandma in her bed until she has bedsores
Not having to worry about a weak robot that drops grandpa helping him out of the tub
Not having to worry about a human helping you toilet.

... it's a good idea.

/but the price will be the key factor

bugmn99		2011-11-02 12:48:29 AM

This may be a great idea for "sci-fi" films, but robots don't actually exist. Now please, you're scaring thesegood -parse error:31- these good people.

yagottabefarkinkiddinme		2011-11-02 12:48:56 AM

Well, at least they can use it as a gentle glowing nightlight too. Made with Tokyoglo. It's so hot, it's rad. Fuku, Fukuverymuch.

natmar_76		2011-11-02 12:56:46 AM

Power Legs

The grimdark future of Shadowrun is now one step closer to reality.

urban.derelict		2011-11-02 01:30:52 AM

Enemabag Jones: How many people under the age of 30 will that confuse?

who cares, people under 30 are irrelevant

/and they'll get you

Enemabag Jones		2011-11-02 01:36:52 AM

urban.derelict,Enemabag Jones: How many people under the age of 30 will that confuse?
who cares, people under 30 are irrelevant
I thought people over 30 were irrelevant?

/and they'll get you
They already have. I started to see I was no longer part of the pepsi generation after 25.

ThreeEdgedSword		2011-11-02 01:40:04 AM

I don't believe in the existence of robots. Are you Sarah Connor?

elk-tamer		2011-11-02 01:43:39 AM

I wonder how long it will take until they plug that guy into the petman robot from Boston Dynamics.

BlackFoltz		2011-11-02 01:53:35 AM

I'm thinking of getting metal legs. It's a risky operation, but it'll be worth it.

Dadoody		2011-11-02 01:55:32 AM

skrame		2011-11-02 02:06:11 AM

Threadslayer: Sorry, didn't mean to be obtuse.

AbortionsForAll		2011-11-02 02:23:59 AM

Well, since I clicked the article link whilst browsing on my iPad, the site simply directs me to a link for the ABC News app (with no option to just view the farking article; despite there being absolutely no technical reason for such a restriction). Since I don't give a flying shiat about ABC news in general, I won't be downloading it.

Congratulations on your lost ad revenue, you goddamn downsy retards!

Sites such as this which attempt to control the browsing habits of the end-user can get farked in the face.

/end rant

sendtodave		2011-11-02 02:40:32 AM

Krieghund: Sarah Palin's Conscience: Threadslayer: This is mainly cuz the japanese are so incredibly racist that they dont want to fret about the possibility of a korean getting kim chi jeebies on their ancient father while theyre working.

To be fair, kim chee is very smelly.

The Japanese have their own version of kim chee, so that isn't the greatest example.

But Threadslayer is correct. I don't see what the big deal is though. The Japanese don't want Koreans touching their old people, so they use robots. We Americans don't want to touch our old people, so we use Mexicans.

It's mostly Filipino domestic help. And they're discriminated against all over Asia.

yosluggo		2011-11-02 02:44:06 AM

No I do not want your app ABC and fark you.

AbortionsForAll		2011-11-02 02:56:21 AM

yosluggo: No I do not want your app ABC and fark you.

THANK you!

Kurmudgeon		2011-11-02 04:15:47 AM

I wonder if those Toyota robots help grandma accelerate uncontrollably into the wall?
/obvious

hitlersbrain		2011-11-02 07:52:57 AM

You'd best stay off his lawn.
th08.deviantart.net

MythDragon		2011-11-02 08:02:55 AM

What all will they 'assist' me with?
...and do you have to be elderly?

Harry Freakstorm		2011-11-02 08:03:36 AM

Robot! Bring me my prune juice

Here is your prune juice. Served at exactly 62 degrees. Please enjoy.

Robot! When is Pat Sajak on?

Wheel of Fortune is on at 6:30 pm. It is currently 4:42 pm.

Robot! Rub my back!

Rubbing back. Rubbing back. Please let my batteries deplete. Please let my batteries deplete

Robot! I don't like you muttering! Silence mode.

Silence mode is an additional 35 cents a month. A small charge will be applied to your account. Do you want this? Yes? No?

Robot! No! Stupid robot thinks I'm made of money. Robot! Look out the back door. I think there's a burglar!

No burglar. No one there who could destroy robot. It would be a mercy destroying.

Robot! When is Pat Sajak on?

Wheel of Fortune is on at 6:30 pm. It is 4:43 pm.

Robot! Turn on Wheel of Fortune! I'm missing my show!

Repeating. Wheel of Fortune.... aw the hell with it. (Click)

Robot! Why is Howie Mandel on Wheel of Fortune and what's with the 26 Vanna Whites?

Reimaged version of Wheel of Fortune. Enjoy. Enjoy. Robot is going to stick head in microwave now. Just hope Robot God doesn't send me back here as a hoverround.

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