I'm Sorry Dave Grandpa, I'm Afraid I Can't Do That

Two interesting articles in The Japan Times Online today on the plans to incorporate new robotic technology in caring for the aging:

Taking advantage of this nation's advanced robot technology, the public and the private sectors are developing new types of robots to support the aged. One example is Toshiba Corp.'s ApriAttenda, a 90-cm-tall robot that can keep an eye on those elderly people who easily get lost.

ApriAttenda, with image processing algorithm functions and stereo vision technology, identifies the first person it sees as its master and analyzes his or her clothing patterns. It follows its master, and emits sounds to draw its master's attention when it loses sight of him or her.

Good luck with that.