For anyone who’s watched ‘Ann Droid’ ( and for those who haven’t ) would you consider a Robot companion?

Absolutely not!! I won't even have an Alexa, I don't want to be talking to machines I want to talk people instead.

Never mind a Linda, I want a Chippendale look alike!

Ann Droid, is currently on BBC1 on Fridays or all are on the iPlayer. It is definitely worth a watch. Well written, very funny, poignant too. Excellent acting from the wonderful Sue Johnson and Diane Morgan. Don't miss it! And yes, I'd have a robot like Linda, might be confusing as my name is Linda. I'd just rename, probably myself not the robot!

Awful programme!

One of my worst fears is losing my mobility and independence. If a robot could help someone bedridden to get up, provide food, turn on radio, tv etc I would be all for it. A relative of my DH lived alone and was bedridden, he had to wait for a carer to come twice a day, and was often put to bed at 6 pm in nappies because that was when their shift ended. A robot might be much better than that, though I don’t see how they would be able to provide personal care.

I definitely would, I’ve love one when I need assistance or as and when like post op etc

No, I would not, but I believe they are proving useful for autistic children and for those suffering from various forms of dementia.

I could also readily believe that they could be of use to the partially paralysed, perhaps even to those with very poor sight.

Oh yes. I’m too old, with limited mobility, to have a dog; so a robot dog for companionship, very slow walks and security would be wonderful (and no more poo bags to worry about !!)

Oreo

BlueBelle

Well a bit sad if a robot eradicates loneliness

On the contrary, it would be a happy thing.
There are many people, particularly older ones who can spend all week rarely exchanging a word with anyone.

Yes, I agree. There are many older people in that situation. Me included.

Yes ,in theory I would but I already have 2 robot vacuum cleaners and they can drive me mad at times.

Yes I think I would, especially if housebound, I would hate to be dependent on daily social care visits, trapped into waiting for my pants to be changed and sitting in my own ablutions for hours, it would probably be less embarrassing than having a human do it for me

I would definitely have one. Image no strangers coming into your home to give personal care. No waiting hoping that you get a carer you’ve had before. No worries about them not turning up sounds perfect to me. Yes I want Linda 🤣

I read a book about AI companions for teenagers. This was normal in the story. They were bought in shops.
It was Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro.
It For older people on their own most, if not all, of the time, it could be good company, and, in some cases might avoid going into a care home.

Plevey08

I want Linda!

Me too.....definitely if it was Diane Morgan!

I'd like one if they were programmed to do cleaning tasks efficiently. I feel we need a cleaner now, maybe once a fortnight, to do deep cleaning but for some reason I am strangely reluctant to hire one.
It's partly because I imagine cleaners wouldn't clean to my standards and I don't like the idea of someone around the house poking into things and me having to go somewhere and leave them to it.
Daft, I admit but I'd be okay with setting a robot tasks and then switching it off and putting it into a cupboard when it had finished.
Not sure I'd converse with it. That electronic voice would get on my nerves I think. I can just about cope with Alexa's reminders during the day and I get really snappy with the sat nav (I call her Gloria) when she tells me to retrace my journey or does the repeated 'recalculating' voice.

I do thank both Alexa and Gloria though, when they've been helpful, so I imagine people could become fond of their robotic companions.

I’d consider it to swap for my husband 😂

well a different issue to the ss check outs in the shops,,, no companions about so not really putting people out of jobs,, I found the programme amusing. particularly the sex part!

No robot for me, I'd rather have a dog.

grannybuy

I read a book about AI companions for teenagers. This was normal in the story. They were bought in shops.
It was Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro.
It For older people on their own most, if not all, of the time, it could be good company, and, in some cases might avoid going into a care home.

A wonderful book ( all his books are) but so poignant 😢

Gracey

I'd like one if they were programmed to do cleaning tasks efficiently. I feel we need a cleaner now, maybe once a fortnight, to do deep cleaning but for some reason I am strangely reluctant to hire one.
It's partly because I imagine cleaners wouldn't clean to my standards and I don't like the idea of someone around the house poking into things and me having to go somewhere and leave them to it.
Daft, I admit but I'd be okay with setting a robot tasks and then switching it off and putting it into a cupboard when it had finished.
Not sure I'd converse with it. That electronic voice would get on my nerves I think. I can just about cope with Alexa's reminders during the day and I get really snappy with the sat nav (I call her Gloria) when she tells me to retrace my journey or does the repeated 'recalculating' voice.

I do thank both Alexa and Gloria though, when they've been helpful, so I imagine people could become fond of their robotic companions.

I know what you mean about cleaners.
I think robot voices will improve and be undetectable from human voices really soon.

valdali

I'd rather have a budgie, personally.

How about a Robot budgie. You wouldn't have to feed it and clean the cage out!

And it could fly around the house and in your garden.

You could call it Trill after the old fashioned budgie feed.

Mum got a cat recently, I think it may be a robot cat as it seems to spend its days curled up in a ball on the sofa 🤔

Yes, I'd have one.
Spending hours and hours alone isn't exactly a barrel of laughs.
If it could clean, all the better.

Yes.

Love the programme - really made us laugh out loud and yes I’d have a Linda.