Robot nurses. Another example of progress?

[pnwmom]

I wouldn't want to take any medicine that I got from a robot nurse. How about you?

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Robot_nurses_ready_for_hospitals_in_01282007.html

Prototype robot nurses could be bustling around
hospital wards in as little as three years, according to scientists
in Germany who have developed ground-breaking software.
The mechanised "nursebots" being developed by the EU-funded
scientists, will perform basic tasks such as mopping up spillages,
taking messages, and guiding visitors to hospital beds.

They could also distribute medicines and even monitor the
temperature of patients remotely with laser thermometers.

Working in teams, the intelligent robots will be able to
communicate with each other and co-ordinate their duties.

Scientists from universities in Germany, Ireland and Britain are
among the engineers and software experts taking part in the IWARD
project. They aim to have a three-robot prototype system ready by
2010.

SNIP

[physioex]

1. I am well aware of the jobs that nurses do.....

Although robots may alleviate some of the tedious jobs. I don't see robots in any way replacing what nurses are capable.....

[SanCristobal]

2. As long as they keep to simple tasks that don't get anyone killed,

it's pretty cool. I was in the hospital a few times as a kid, and having a robot nurse would have made it a much cooler experience. Then again, I was a big Star Wars fan...

[Horse with no Name]

3. The have robots here in the states

at some of the hospitals that fill pharmacy orders and then deliver the meds to the floor.
It doesn't surprise me that nurses are next.

[Benhurst]

4. It's that robotic touch which hastens the healing.

:rofl:

[Psephos]

5. Not an example of progress, but of an aging populace and falling birthrate

Take a look at Japan for a preview of the future. Not only is the Japanese birthrate below replacement levels, it's so low that deaths are actually exceeding births in absolute terms.

Who will care for the elderly? Robot nurses. Who will be companions for the elderly? Robotic pets.

Russia is in this same death spiral, too, and apart from their immigrant subpopulations, so are most of the Western European countries.

Take a look at this:

http://globalis.gvu.unu.edu/indicator.cfm?IndicatorID=138&Year=2005&Country=

Peace.

[entanglement]

6. Well, that should make the immigrant bashers happy

I'm sure they prefer robots to 'damned furriners' ;)