JPHiP Forum

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Foxy Brown on April 21, 2006, 06:09:43 PM

Title: Japan's humanoid robots: Better than people
Post by: Foxy Brown on April 21, 2006, 06:09:43 PM

Her name is MARIE, and her impressive set of skills comes in handy in a nursing home. MARIE can walk around under her own power. She can distinguish among similar-looking objects, such as different bottles of medicine, and has a delicate enough touch to work with frail patients. MARIE can interpret a range of facial expressions and gestures, and respond in ways that suggest compassion. Although her language skills are not ideal, she can recognise speech and respond clearly. Above all, she is inexpensive. Unfortunately for MARIE, however, she has one glaring trait that makes it hard for Japanese patients to accept her: she is a flesh-and-blood human being from the Philippines. If only she were a robot instead. (http://economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5323427&no_na_tran=1)