TC 267: Robots for Humanity

In this episode of the Transformation Cafe podcast, host Robin Masiewicz and Cafe regular Gloria discuss how assistive robots are helping quadriplegics perform tasks, and how therapeutic robots are being used to treat patients with dementia. An assistive robot is a device that can sense, process sensory information, and perform actions that benefit people with disabilities and seniors.These robots may be fixed (next to a bedside for example) or mobile. In the video below, Steve Cousins talks about the Robots for Humanity Project, a collaboration between Willow Garage, the Healthcare Robotics Lab at Georgia Tech led by Charlie Kemp, the Man and Machines Group at Oregon State led by Bill Smart, and Henry and Jane Evans. Ask a man in solitary confinement if he wants just an hour of freedom a day. I tell you, he will live for it. Robots are my freedom. – Henry Evans (Forbes, Dec 13, 2012) The PR2 robot and other assistive machines can make a huge impact on people like Henry. PR2 combines the mobility to navigate human environments and the dexterity to grasp and manipulate objects in those environments. Controlling the robot provides a sense of freedom and accomplishment. For most men, a simple task like shaving is a mundane chore, but Henry couldn't shave himself. He was very happy when he figured out that if the robot held the razor near his face he could move his head and shave himself. Using a Texai remote presence device developed by Willow Garage, Henry is able to tell his story at the TEDxMidAtlantic conference. Henry has also learned how to fly a small quadrotor drone, so he can once again navigate through space, looking through his garden, and exploring other places outside. During his TED talk he demonstrates how well he can operate the little drone by doing a few tricks.   Therapeutic Robots Paro is a little robot that resembles a baby seal. These cute and cuddly robots are used to help treat patients with dementia. They have embedded sensors that let them respond to touch and to voices. Check out this article from the Toronto Star on how Paro has been shown to have a calming effect on patients with dementia, and how in many ways a robot can be even better than a therapy pet.   Paro at the CAMH   According to the Paro website: Unlike industrial robots, “Mental Commitment Robots” are developed to interact with human beings and to make them feel emotional attachment to the robots. Rather than using objective measures, these robots trigger more subjective evaluations, evoking psychological impressions such as “cuteness” and comfort. Mental Commitment Robots are designed to provide 3 types of effects: psychological, such as relaxation and motivation, physiological, such as improvement in vital signs, and social effects such as instigating communication among inpatients and caregivers. Woman hugging PARO, a robot that resembles a baby seal. People have dreamed of having robots to do household chores since the 1940's, but the real value may be in the way they help people by providing comfort and companionship, and allowing those that can't move to regain a sense of freedom and control. We are excited to see how this field expands and develops in the future. What do you think about Robots for Humanity? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment. Resources: Healthcare Robotics Lab at Georgia Tech - http://www.hsi.gatech.edu/hrl/ News Medical article: