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Lifelike robotic pets used to help isolated seniors avoid loneliness
ktla ^ | 08/11/2020

Posted on 08/11/2020 9:56:58 AM PDT by BenLurkin

“Pretty,” was the word an Alabama senior used to describe the lifelike robotic companion pet she received from a new pilot project administered by the Alabama Department of Senior Services. It was the first word she had said in a long time, according to department Commissioner Jean Brown.

The Alabama agency, along with several other state agencies managing programs for seniors in New York, Florida and Pennsylvania, have partnered with robotic pet manufacturer Ageless Innovation to combat loneliness and provide comfort and companionship for isolated seniors.

With insight into the growing epidemic of loneliness and need for interactive play amongst older adults, the company developed their line of Joy for All Companion Pets to feel, look and sound like real pets, Ageless Innovation’s CEO Ted Fischer told CNN.

“We have technology inside that product that allows you to respond to touch and sound and light in different ways. And what we found is older adults wanted realism,” Fischer said. “That’s part of the magic of a companion pet.”

Alabama Department of Senior Services has already seen promising results and local agencies are into their second round of ordering robotic pets, according to Brown.

The commissioner said the department plans to assess the program periodically for the next year to get a clearer picture of whether the pilot pet program has been as successful as she hopes it will be.

(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: automatons; jetsons; loneliness; pets; robotic; robots; seniors; skynet
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To: Telepathic Intruder

Japan makes some very realistic dolls. They even maintain normal body temps. Medicare should cover the expense of owning one for us old guys. They only run 7-10 thousand. Barely the price of some wheel chairs.


21 posted on 08/11/2020 11:13:55 AM PDT by oldasrocks
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To: Malsua

I hated the dopey kid and artificial dog on old BSG.


22 posted on 08/11/2020 11:16:34 AM PDT by wally_bert (Transmission tone, Selma.)
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To: BenLurkin

Sorry, but a robot isn’t an animal. It’s fake phony fraud. It might be a distraction for a few days, but it’s not a pet.


23 posted on 08/11/2020 11:17:17 AM PDT by I want the USA back (Voltaire: To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.)
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To: Telepathic Intruder

I’ll take good ole K9 ala Dr. Who.


24 posted on 08/11/2020 11:17:32 AM PDT by wally_bert (Transmission tone, Selma.)
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To: wally_bert

I wasn’t a fan of the kid, the robot dog would have been awesome.

It actually was a chimp in a suit.

Way better than Twiki. Beedee beedee bee.


25 posted on 08/11/2020 11:19:11 AM PDT by Malsua
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To: Malsua

Agreed that Twiki was worse.

Buck Rogers could have done a lot if the suits hadn’t changed everything.


26 posted on 08/11/2020 11:21:12 AM PDT by wally_bert (Transmission tone, Selma.)
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To: lee martell

I heard he keeps leaving little piles of nuts & bolts everywhere...


27 posted on 08/11/2020 11:22:00 AM PDT by W. (What, me worry?)
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To: BenLurkin

Give 'em a Joe Biden robot, so they can get some exercise by kicking it throughout the day...


       

28 posted on 08/11/2020 11:22:19 AM PDT by Songcraft
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To: Leaning Right
There was a character on "Mr. Robot" that got a little too attached to Alexa:


29 posted on 08/11/2020 12:15:07 PM PDT by Boogieman
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To: BenLurkin

I saw that movie - it was called “Cherry 2000”. Good parable about warranties and a store of spare parts.


30 posted on 08/11/2020 12:32:42 PM PDT by Bernard (If I knew then what I know now, I probably would not have believed it anyway.)
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To: Pollard

I’ve worked in nursing home and have seen elderly people light up when a dog or cat is put in for a visit. What REALLY makes elderly people light up, especially women are babies. Boy, when ever a baby is bought into a nursing home the old dears really start smiling.


31 posted on 08/11/2020 12:38:19 PM PDT by jmacusa (If we're all equal how is diversity our strength?)
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To: redfreedom

Yeah, the wife and I have a couple of cats. We spoil them, they love it. Had to put one to sleep today, though. A MaineCoon/mix “Rocky’’. He had stomach cancer and the vet said it was too far gone. Boy I miss the little guy already.


32 posted on 08/11/2020 12:40:10 PM PDT by jmacusa (If we're all equal how is diversity our strength?)
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To: jmacusa

My wife used to bring our daughter to work sometimes and my son & daughter went there every year for Halloween until they got older.


33 posted on 08/11/2020 2:13:06 PM PDT by Pollard (whatever)
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To: zeugma
“Pretty,” was the word an Alabama senior used to describe the lifelike robotic companion pet received from a new pilot project administered by the Alabama Department of Senior Services.

I wonder if the dept of senior services lets the old folks select their own robot :-)

34 posted on 08/11/2020 3:38:46 PM PDT by from occupied ga (Your government is your most dangerous enemy)
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