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5 Ways Robots Make The World A Better Place

First Posted: 03/29/11 11:01 PM ET   Updated: 05/29/11 06:12 AM ET

Some may say that there is no issue more polarizing to the human race than robots. But here at HuffPost Impact, we don't heed those overblown warnings about the robot apocalypse. Instead, we like to focus on the ways robots are improving our daily lives and helping people in need.

Robots are now used to teach sick children, rescue survivors in the wake of disaster amongst providing many other helpful services.

Check out our roundup of amazing robots and how they're making a difference around the world. Vote for your favorites!

Teaching Social Skills To Autistic Children
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For children with autism, interacting socially can be a struggle.

With simple facial expressions and phrases, a robot known as Kaspar is helping autistic children learn how to understand emotions and how to interact with others -- all through play time.
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Some may say that there is no issue more polarizing to the human race than robots. But here at HuffPost Impact, we don't heed those overblown warnings about the robot apocalypse. Instead, we like to f...
Some may say that there is no issue more polarizing to the human race than robots. But here at HuffPost Impact, we don't heed those overblown warnings about the robot apocalypse. Instead, we like to f...
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Ex-politico
11 Fans
04:41 PM on 03/30/2011
Whoever wrote this piece should be praised for their grasp of the multitude of worthwhile social uses of and for robotics. The five examples are poignant and topical.

I just came back from InnoRobo in Lyon, France where new robotic products (including EMILY, the lifesaver robot was exhibited) and prospects for this emerging industry were presented. I wrote about the English-language teaching robots used in kindergartens in South Korea at Everything-Robotic.com.

And last year I met the two developers of Kaspar, the robot that helps therapists work with low-spectrum autistic children. Very touching effort and wonderful results!

Whoever you are, thanks for the images and comments... and feel free to make contact with me.

Frank Tobe
The Robot Report
www.TheRobotReport.com
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
stuoverit
"What year did Jesus think it was?"-GC
375 Fans
04:32 PM on 03/30/2011
Kaspar is the creepiest thing I have seen in months.
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Ex-politico
11 Fans
04:49 PM on 03/30/2011
Let me tell you why Kaspar looks the way it does. Low-spectrum autistic children are often afraid of humans and particularly their emotions. Thus Kaspar has a limited, exaggerated set of facial gestures so as not to frighten the child. From that posture Kaspar can work it's wonders of enabling social interaction between the child and Kaspar first, then between the child and his therapist and then the child and other children.

It's a wonderful device and process and you can read about it (instead of ridicule it) at the U of Hertfordshire in the UK. Or just Google Kaspar the robot and autism.

Cordially,

Frank Tobe
The Robot Report
www.TheRobotReport.com
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Holly Smoke
Humor is the best defense for absurdity.
572 Fans
02:13 PM on 03/30/2011
After Gay and Lesbian rights, we are going to have Robotsexual right, huh?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
satanlite
If ur neibor wtchs Fox Nws wtch ur neibor
2315 Fans
02:33 PM on 03/30/2011
Robosexual...and science fiction (and comedy) has already addressed the issue. See Futurama.
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Fuddpacker
230 Fans
02:12 PM on 03/30/2011
They're a great advantage for the Republican party - they'll vote however you tell them to with only a few simple one-word talking point commands.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
kintarius
If you don't like it, you are wrong.
62 Fans
 
02:04 PM on 03/30/2011
...leading us even closer to Judgement Day. Have we learned nothing from the warnings for Sarah Connor?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
isis
I, Robot
461 Fans
08:21 AM on 03/30/2011
But they also take away jobs in some cases. And they pay no Social Security.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
bmermaid
innocent bystander
992 Fans
12:26 AM on 03/30/2011
Maybe robots are better for the human race than humans are.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
satanlite
If ur neibor wtchs Fox Nws wtch ur neibor
2315 Fans
02:35 PM on 03/30/2011
If the choice was living around Republicans or Robots, I'd gladly pick the latter even if they were hunting me down for sport. It would be refreshingly honest at least.
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dna user
143 Fans
10:55 PM on 03/29/2011
“Danger, Will Robinson!â€

Robot B-9
Lost in Space
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