On tonight’s show, Dr Fitness and the Fat Guy learn all about Autom, the world’s first robot weight loss coach from one of the smartest people we have ever met Autom’s creator, Dr Cory Kidd.
Cory recently completed his Ph.D. in human-robot interaction at the MIT Media Lab and is known as leading researcher in the field. His experience in human-robot interaction and developing novel technology for healthcare applications for the last ten years is a key to Intuitive Automata’s success.
Prior to his graduate studies at the Media Lab, Cory was a research scientist as part of the Aware Home project at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Intuitive Automata is pioneering the commercial application of socially interactive robots. We are taking advantage of the years of experience at the MIT Media Lab by company founder Dr. Cory Kidd in human-robot interaction to create products targeting the burgeoning US healthcare industry. The in-home companions we are building will help our customers successfully manage their weight by providing all possible support they need to keep them on the weight loss program of their choice.
Autom was designed to help people who are trying to lose weight keep it off by encouraging them to stick with their diet and exercise program. Autom verbally asks dieters to input data about what they ate on a touch screen then she provides encouragement and advice. Autom will be available for purchase in a year or so, but they will be needing testers sooner than that so if you are interested please go to Cory’s website and sign up www.intuitiveautomata and www.myautom.com
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That is such a great idea. I never would have thought of a robot coach to help with weight loss and exercise, but it makes good sense, because most people who have an exercise or weight loss partner do much better.
Fitness Equipment, Exercise Equipment
I agree. Having a partner to work out with dramatically increases compliance to diet and exercise. Some may like a robot as their partner. I need to have Cory back on so we can see what they have learned about robot coaching since our last interview. Do you think we will see people and robots working out at the gym in the near future? Maybe you should carry them in stock at your fitness company? thanks for your comment.