We don't blame them for not wanting a silly pink robotic dog that takes your blood pressure. Or a pale green robot that sings and plays games. 

This goes to prove you can't replace human companionship, compassion and care with a technology.

So Ifbot as well as Hopis, a resident robot at a Japanese nursing home, became the ones spending the most time alone.

Residents didn't take to either one of them and that's not surprising.

Our suggestions?

Bring in a dog.  Dogs can really brighten up anyone's day, especially the long days experienced by our elderly.

Also children are very good visitors for older people.  The very old and the very young have always gotten along extremely well and maybe we could all observe that and learn something  from them.

But our most pointed advice goes to the manufacturers. 

 Next time you create a product for the aging population, why not check with them first to see if they really  want it or need it?

After all, who wants to be stuck with a rejected Ifbot? 

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