Robotic patient aurally, visually informs you of its ailments

As if treating a mannequin that can bleed and even flat line on you wasn't stressful enough, researchers at Gifu University's Graduate School of Medicine are hoping to make your residency even harder to manage. A newfangled robotic dummy packs a potent artificial brain, as it can reportedly "respond verbally to questions about how it feels and move its body in ways that exhibit the symptoms of its ailment." The current prototype is modeled after a female who honestly looks to have had one incredibly rough day week, and while it wasn't clear if instructors could program the android to act out only a certain number of understood illnesses, we're sure the library of problems will grow with time. Currently, the bot is being trailed to see if it will indeed prove to be a valuable learning tool to eager med students, and if all goes well, it should "become part of the curriculum next year."

[Via PinkTentacle]

[Dale @ May 16th 2007 8:55AM]

I think that you meant to write "orally" instead of "aurally"... "aurally" means "using the ears", I doubt that the robot is capable of informing re: ailments using its ears.

Also "verbally" just means "in a manner using words" (written or spoken), you should have used "orally" there as well, which means "spoken".

[Grey Acumen @ May 16th 2007 9:35AM]

"What's your diagnosis, doctor?"

"I believe this woman may be suffering from BWD"

"Gasp! You can't mean... Bionic Woman Disorder? How terrible!"

"You had better leave, nurse... I believe it may be highly contagious..."

"But... but doctor! What about you?"

"I'll be alright. I dedicated my thesis paper to this strange new disorder, and I believe that it is unable to infect men due to the Y chromosome. Now you'd better go, I'll need to begin treatment immediately. Fortunately for this patient, I have the latest breakthrough in medical technology."

"You mean...?"

"Yes... the Wiimote!"

[Kyrra @ May 16th 2007 9:52AM]

They should have created a more attractive patient. See if the doctors can concentrate with a hot robot as their patient.

[Craig @ May 16th 2007 10:11AM]

Having been through the entire medical education process, I can't really see what the point of this is, as there are plenty of sick poor people to fill up the clinics where students and residents get to practice, other than to provide grant money and salaries to whichever researchers are involved in developing the project. Not to by cynical or anything.

[MikeN @ May 16th 2007 10:12AM]

"Currently, the bot is being trailed "... Trialed? Or is the bot perhaps being followed by a P.I. hired by her bot husband on suspicions of infidelity? I kid, I kid.

[BeyondtheTech @ May 16th 2007 10:12AM]

Maybe it's just me, but at first glance, does the doctor look like Pat Morita from The Karate Kid and the doll as Eric Stoltz in drag?

[David @ May 16th 2007 10:16AM]

Oh no, I've seen this before! Watch out!!!


http://youtube.com/watch?v=8FCyW1BynT8

[HornOplenty @ May 16th 2007 11:07AM]

Does she have a sister!?!?!?!

[Boynamedsue @ May 16th 2007 11:15AM]

I'm sorry. Our tests show you have Liza Minnelli eye syndrome.

Theres nothing we can do.

[Mike @ May 16th 2007 12:17PM]

I can diagnose that robot from here: she has a serious case of the "uglies"...

[ck @ May 16th 2007 2:07PM]

And the Ghost of Pat Morita is doing all the testing....."does it hurt to wax on.....?"

[Roger @ May 16th 2007 2:46PM]

Perhaps they made her ugly so nobody would try to have sex with her. She isn't quite ready for that sort of thing yet.

[o0adam0o @ May 16th 2007 2:47PM]

Man the shebot just looks drunk

[JR @ May 16th 2007 2:58PM]

I didn't know that Sloth had a bionic sister!


HEY YOU GUYYYYYYYYYYYYS!

[Aldyn @ May 16th 2007 4:34PM]

LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
i just about stopped breathing when i read the two comments that said,

"I'm sorry. Our tests show you have Liza Minnelli eye syndrome. Theres nothing we can do."

"I can diagnose that robot from here: she has a serious case of the "uglies"..."

[Tom Gabriele @ May 16th 2007 10:06PM]

well without her even speaking, it seems that she has downs syndrome, or maybe the face sculptor was drunk at the time and she looked hot

[Mickey Jones @ May 16th 2007 11:58PM]

She's suffering from an acute bout of Fuglyitis.

[Frumious B @ May 17th 2007 3:50PM]

My SKIN!!! They've taken my SKINNNN!!! AIEEE, IT BURNS!!

[Riverama @ May 18th 2007 12:40AM]

Mr. Miyagi!!

[Mickey Jones @ May 18th 2007 11:41AM]

I, for one, welcome our sickly complaining overlords.