Robot Service Dogs
Charlie Kemp is a Georgia Tech professor and robotics researcher. He is also dog father to a Goldendoodle named Daisy.
Since getting Daisy his work has been going to the dogs, literally. Kemp and his colleagues are working on developing a robot dog that could perform the same functions as a service dog.
At a skinny 5 feet 7 inches, with wheels instead of paws, their robodog named El-E (pronounced “Ellie”) doesn’t look anything like a real dog.
But El-E can open doors and cabinets, fetch dropped objects and do other service dog functions — all without ever needing to eat or relieve itself.
Ultimately, Kemp and co-researchers plan to train El-E to do things not even highly skilled service dogs can do, such as dial a cellphone for help or relay information about its companion’s condition to a doctor.
Robots do serve many functions in society, so I can see this as a logical next step. Of course there would be no tail wags, unconditional love, and it isn’t easy to snuggle up next to a robot. On the flip side, for those that may have trouble physically or financially caring for a dog it may be a good option, time will tell.
* The pic above is dubbed BigDog, being developed by Boston Dynamics.
Technically it may do more things, but I doubt it will lower anyone’s blood pressure, or help with anyone’s loneliness or self-esteem. It looks like a big flea to me. YUKKY. I think a nice warm-blooded doggy will always be better, but that’s just me.
It sure is ugly!! I guess it would be ok to use a robot for some things… but I believe that if I needed a service dog, I would trust a living creature over a machine… computers malfunction!!
Neat, I’m sure the robot dogs will do well as mine sweepers. But where is the warm and fuzzy? If I were trapped under whatever I’d rather look at a wet dog nose and feel warm breath in my face than a buzzing heap of metal.
The good resource should be brought in bookmarks