A Future with Robots as Companions Could Be Closer Than You Think
From: ECN Magazine - 03/13/2017

The 2012 movie Robot & Frank described a "near future" that would allow us to
spend our golden years living "co-dependently independently," fulfilled by
ever-present robot companions that could watch out for loss of balance and
falls, prompt us to do constructive home projects like gardening and even
become something like our best friends.

That future might be nearer than we think.

At least that's the vision of USC Professor Maja Mataric. After more than a
decade and a half of testing and researching the positive effects socially
assistive robots can have on vulnerable populations, Mataric is looking at
how she can help speed this technological march into our living rooms and
care facilities.

As the first step in that march, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering vice
dean of research and USC Interaction Lab director co-founded the Pasadena
company Embodied Inc., which is working on developing and bringing affordable
socially assistive robots to market. The first "Embodied robot" for consumers
will begin its testing within the year.

Read the entire article at:
https://www.ecnmag.com/news/2017/03/future-robots-companions-could-be-closer-you-think

Link:
Embodied Inc.
http://www.embodied.me

Maja Mataric
http://www-robotics.usc.edu/~maja