iRobot creates new business unit for healthcare robotics
By Donald Melanson 
posted Nov 5th 2009 9:12PM
posted Nov 5th 2009 9:12PM
Well, it doesn't have a Roomba that will check up on your vitals just yet, but it looks like iRobot is betting on healthcare robotics in a fairly big way, with it taking advantage of the recent TEDMED conference to announce that it's forming a new business unit focused solely on the still burgeoning industry. That unit will be headed up by Tod Loofbourrow, who says that he believes the business "has the potential to make a significant difference in the field of healthcare," and adds that he thinks "the long-term potential of robotics to extend independent living is profound." While he's just as light on specifics, iRobot CEO Colin Angle is no less ambitious about the company's goals, saying that iRobot's "healthcare mission is add a million years of independent living to our customers." And in case you're wondering, the image at right isn't an iRobot robot, but it is all too real.
Is that a rock-em-sock-em robot?!?!?!
it's really pummeling her. man.
You have to stick your healthcare id card into it BEFORE it will see you.
If you're healthcare pass expires or you get turned down for a pre-existing condition, the robot will dump you on the sidewalk.
When I first saw this I thought the woman was being tased
She's fallen and she can't get up.
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL@OLDPPL
I've fallen, and I can't get... holy crap what the hell is that!! *heart attack*
FALCON PAUNCH
error; must beat patient to death
Colonoscopies in the future don't look like fun at all.
So the person is lying on the ground bleeding out and the robot has to take out its stethoscope to see what's wrong? Oh how technology evolves!
"has the potential to make a significant difference in the field of healthcare"
aka "has the potential for robots to attack our healthcare system from the inside when the inevitable robots vs. humans war happens"
what if she fell down the stairs?
You think you can forget your problems by installing robotic doctor-ware to help around the house? Think again. These cheap units may appear helpful at first, but eventually their manner will decline into that of a pervert; using foul language and making sexual suggestions.
Not only that, but they'll try to take over the world. à la, iRobot style. (See it's even in the title).
Inserting rectal thermometer, please wait.
Ah yes, because to me, quality healthcare means a rolling torso taped to a severed talking head that's trying to touch me.
Oh so these are the new Obamacare robo docs that will be taking the place of the human docs that are driven out of healthcare.
No domo arrigato, Dr. Roboto.
I heard about this, its going to be an accessory pack for your Roomba..
Better get Old Glory...
http://www.hulu.com/watch/2340/saturday-night-live-old-glory
that's a hilarious photo. i think stethoscope bot is probably 3rd or 4th generation. check-if-your-dead bot 1.0 probably pokes and pokes to elicit a response.
Yes! Healthcare robots! I've been saying this for YEARS!
Why pay a doctor $100,000 to tell everyone under 40 that "nothing is wrong with you" when a $25,000 robot could do the same thing?
(I'm serious)
I wanna see it perform a circumcision.
And I thought my Doctor had cold hands!
stop making robot looks like human... and take its clothes off!
It doesn't add value to the robot itself!
you want to take the robot's clothes off? please keep your fantasies to yourself.
stop making humans that look like robots. problem solved
Like I said the only viable profession in the future will be to become a scum bag lawyer. I pretty sure the robots will need to carry malpractice insurance as well.
Well, robots use logic, calculations, and sound evidence. So I guess that lawyers are safe.
Oh, and obligatory "I for one welcome our medicinal practicing robot overlords."
He's dead, Jim
64GB around or just after Christmas time now please Zune. Get it done!
http://cybermondaywii.co.cc/