Dec 2, 2009: PARO

xoxoxoBruce · 12-02-2009, 01:49 AM

Have you ever seen those reports in the media, "XYZ University study shows pets are good for your mental and physical health." Then thought to yourself, or maybe out loud, well duh, who in hell is paying for that study? Probably you are, but that's another kettle of fish.

Anyone who's had a fuzzy pet, dog, cat, hamster, sheep, horse, etc, knows how they can chill you out, and warm the cockles of your heart. I say fuzzy pets, because I can't see snakes, birds and reptiles having that effect, but your mileage may vary.

The other part of pets, is maintenance. Pets teach children responsibility, and all that.

Catch 22 is, Isolated and lonely dementia patients, who could use that cockle warming the most, can't handle the upkeep of a pet.

Enter PARO... Ta Ta Ta TAAAA
what was that? french horns.

Quote:

PARO is an advanced interactive robot developed by AIST, a leading Japanese industrial automation pioneer. It allows the documented benefits of animal therapy to be administered to patients in environments such as hospitals and extended care facilities where live animals present treatment or logistical difficulties.

Paro is the 8th generation of a design that has been in use in Japan and throughout Europe since 2003.

Paro has five kinds of sensors: tactile, light, audition, temperature, and posture sensors, with which it can perceive people and its environment. With the light sensor, Paro can recognize light and dark. He feels being stroked and beaten by tactile sensor, or being held by the posture sensor. Paro can also recognize the direction of voice and words such as its name, greetings, and praise with its audio sensor.

Paro can learn to behave in a way that the user prefers, and to respond to its new name. For example, if you stroke it every time you touch it, Paro will remember your previous action and try to repeat that action to be stroked. If you hit it, Paro remembers its previous action and tries not to do that action.

By interaction with people, Paro responds as if it is alive, moving its head and legs, making sounds, and showing your preferred behavior. Paro also imitates the voice of a real baby harp seal.

That ain't no toy, Baby.

And being a "medical device", of sorts, add 6000% to the cost... US $6000.

Oh, and the first one that mentions "club", is on report.

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SPUCK · 12-02-2009, 05:04 AM

Does it have sensors to feel the inevitable shotgun blasts?

Too bad they have to kill a baby harp seal to cover each one they make..

I want to hear the sounds it makes in a Rottwiler's mouth!

Gravdigr · 12-02-2009, 05:33 AM

I feel the urge to go ...uh--

I mean, join the ...uh--

I wonder if anyone told The Sierra ...uh--

I'll be quiet...

ZenGum · 12-02-2009, 05:35 AM

Wait a minute ... you're supposed to beat it? Surely the old people are going to need a ____ for that.

capnhowdy · 12-02-2009, 06:57 AM

We're gonna need a lot of sauce with this one folks.

spudcon · 12-02-2009, 07:15 AM

Does it have a cavity in it's behind that will fit a cherry bomb?

ajaccio · 12-02-2009, 08:51 AM

Watch him squirm & bat those eyelashes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx8mv87e6wE

SamIam · 12-02-2009, 09:02 AM

US $6,000? Hell, for that I could get a place with a yard and a real life pedigreed dog. And I wouldn't beat the dog either.

footfootfoot · 12-02-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Oh, and the first one that mentions "club", is on report.

It's more of an informal association, a group, if you will

Trilby · 12-02-2009, 12:37 PM

It looks like it wants to mate with Adam Lambert.

Cloud · 12-02-2009, 12:39 PM

but does it purr? For $6,000 I want it to purr, dammit!

monster · 12-02-2009, 03:43 PM

We only have $200ish left on our flexaccount thingie.... I wonder if they'll go on sale?

ZenGum · 12-02-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamIam

US $6,000? Hell, for that I could get a place with a yard and a real life pedigreed dog.

Not in Japan you couldn't.

Tuba Loons · 12-02-2009, 08:52 PM

It looks like something you could win at the fair.

Or perhaps train to keep its head down.

lumberjim · 12-02-2009, 09:03 PM

whoa! let's not get too talky there, talky tuba....

three posts in 3 years! let me get a word in edgewise whydontcha!

12-02-2009, 05:33 AM	#3
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	I feel the urge to go ...uh-- I mean, join the ...uh-- I wonder if anyone told The Sierra ...uh-- I'll be quiet... __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

12-02-2009, 05:35 AM	#4
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Wait a minute ... you're supposed to beat it? Surely the old people are going to need a ____ for that. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

12-02-2009, 06:57 AM	#5
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	We're gonna need a lot of sauce with this one folks. __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

12-02-2009, 07:15 AM	#6
spudcon Beware of potatoes Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY, USA Posts: 2,078	Does it have a cavity in it's behind that will fit a cherry bomb? __________________ "I believe that being despised by the despicable is as good as being admired by the admirable."

12-02-2009, 12:37 PM	#10
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	It looks like it wants to mate with Adam Lambert. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

12-02-2009, 05:04 AM	#2
SPUCK Professor Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,911	Does it have sensors to feel the inevitable shotgun blasts? Too bad they have to kill a baby harp seal to cover each one they make.. I want to hear the sounds it makes in a Rottwiler's mouth!

12-02-2009, 08:51 AM	#7
ajaccio Colloquialist Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 76	Watch him squirm & bat those eyelashes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx8mv87e6wE

12-02-2009, 09:02 AM	#8
SamIam Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Not here Posts: 2,655	US $6,000? Hell, for that I could get a place with a yard and a real life pedigreed dog. And I wouldn't beat the dog either.

12-02-2009, 12:39 PM	#11
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	but does it purr? For $6,000 I want it to purr, dammit! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

12-02-2009, 03:43 PM	#12
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	We only have $200ish left on our flexaccount thingie.... I wonder if they'll go on sale? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

12-02-2009, 08:52 PM	#14
Tuba Loons 3 baboons Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 38	It looks like something you could win at the fair. Or perhaps train to keep its head down.

12-02-2009, 09:03 PM	#15
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	whoa! let's not get too talky there, talky tuba.... three posts in 3 years! let me get a word in edgewise whydontcha! __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

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