Back in October 2009, Colin Angle spoke at TEDMED 2009. It was a big announcement: IRobot was launching a new healthcare robotics business unit to be led by Tod Loofbourrow. Their ambitious goal: add 1 million years to users' lifetimes through robotic assistance. Some good synopses of the talk were posted, but videos of the event were elusive... until now. Below you can find the full video of Colin's talk and some points that I think are particularly poignant.
First, the video and a shoutout to MedGadget for pointing it out.
My notes:
- It costs over $10,000 per month to provide nursing home assistance.
- More the 3/4 of seniors prefer to "age in place."
- About 22% of young adults provide direct care for loved ones (4-to-1 ratio).
- By 2030, that ratio could be as high as 1-to-1.
- It takes approx. 3 hours per day to care for a "relatively fit" loved one.
- It takes approx 6.5 hours per day to care for a "frail" loved one and is said to be impossible while maintaining a demanding full-time job.
- Elderly folks take (on average) 5+ medications per day. Failed medication compliance is the #1 reason for nursing home relocation.
- IRobot created a "jamming skin" specialized end effector for manipulation. Details on this Hizook post.
- IRobot's "warrior" robot (a bulky PackBot?) can climb stairs, travel at 15mph, carry a 150 lb payload, and extend a flat platform above table height.
Curiously, I haven't heard anything about IRobot's new business unit since October 2009. Can anyone provide an update regarding their activities in the last seven months?