A robot for dentists?

Robots, people, usability and trust...

It seems very likely that Korkoro is on the right track in producing robots that people want to interact with. Without a doubt, the attachment that people feel towards a mechanical device is a huge factor in it’s usability. Not quite the same, but perhaps as a testament to this type of reaction, Apple Computer Inc. since it’s original consumer blockbuster, the Macintosh, has produced products which according to it’s devotees ‘just feel right’. To this day, the Mac is still looked upon as being a machine made for creative people. Watch what happens when someone gets a new Mac in the office, everyone hovers around to see it come out of the box – while the delivery of most any other type of computer does not regularly inspire this sort of crowd.

But will we want to interact with machines?

Most accounts seem to indicate that the Japanese look upon robots as being helpers to human beings. They are perceived as ‘real’, and treated in a similar way to people. Other cultures, look more warily upon robots - they’re not generally seen as trusted helpers but more as unwanted replacements for people and thieves of jobs, or worse potentially as a direct and malicious threat to human beings – that they’ll take over the world.

With Japan currently leading the world with 40% of the working robots perhaps some sort of social prejudice is at work. The robots we will see commonly in the near future will be automated vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers or perhaps the mechanical equivalent of ‘seeing eye’ dogs for the blind. In many countries, people are living longer than ever before, in countries with a declining birth rate the issue of how to reduce the financial cost of caring for an aging population is a concern – and robots may be part of the answer. The introduction of robotic domestic helpers may enable older people to be independent longer than is currently possible or safe – allowing them to live in their homes for as long as their health allows. It seems that the Japanese will lead the way.

It’s almost certain that robots will fill a needed role in our societies. Perhaps even further in the future, robots will be able to perform intricate surgical procedures far quicker and more accurately than humans can. Although humans practicing dentistry on robots is one matter – robots independently acting on humans is quite another. We may have great our trust in mechanical creations – and marvel at our ingenuity. But as that drill is being guided into our molar, guided by a clever metal arm, it would be good to know that a properly trained and competent supervising human is watching over us – with one foot ready to stomp on the ‘off’ switch should the need arise.

For more information

The Korkorko Company
http://www.kokoro-dreams.co.jp/english/

C-Net / News.com - In Japan, obots are people too...
http://www.news.com/