The future of education... NAO!
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<strong>NAO is a research platform used by more than 350 prestigious universities and research labs around the world.</strong></p>
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It is a versatile platform used to explore a wide variety of research topics in robotics as well as computer science, human-machine interaction, and the social sciences.</p>
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/AAJQO.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://imgur.com/AAJQO.jpg"></a></p>
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Robots allow students to connect theory with practice and discover a wide range of robotics-related fields, such as computer science, engineering, and mathematics.</p>
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Bill Gates, the Japanese Robotics Association, and the European Commission have something in common: they all believe robotics will be as important tomorrow as computers are today. This means all future engineers, scientists, and researchers in applied sciences benefit from learning about robotics.</p>
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/O2JFs.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/O2JFs.jpg"></a></p>
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<strong>My goal is to offer robots that contribute to everyone's well-being. At every stage of life, people can need assistance at home. This is especially true for the elderly.</strong></p>
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Demographics tells us that all developed countries will face dramatic increases in the population of elderly and retired persons compared with young and active persons. Humanoid robots will have a clear role in assisting the elderly in their day-to-day lives, allowing them to live at home longer and maintain as much autonomy as possible.</p>
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The prospect of humanoid robots caring for people at home responds to this gradual demographic shift that not only involves individuals, but also health policy, as robots represent a very cost-effective alternative to long-term hospital stays. Remote home medical care is a growing part of the healthcare system, and humanoid robots such as NAO, and tomorrow Romeo, will be key components of future remote assistance platforms.</p>
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Thanks to its human-like interaction based on voice and gesture, NAO is the only humanoid robot able to play the crucial role of personal assistant.</p>
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NAO is a companion that communicates with remote caregivers (family, relatives, service providers, etc.), ensures medical and home surveillance, and provides real assistance at home.</p>
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It can also help in Retirement Facilities and play the role of host for an aging population.</p>
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The funds will enable me to purchase the hardware and software to begin the journey of adapting the already used NAO project in an assistive capacity. As a disabled person myself, I fully understand the benefits that the NAO project can bring to both the disabled and elderley members of our community. Total funding required is £3500 although I have so far collected £1000 in personal finances myself. I am now ready to kickstart this project but require the balance to continue in this great quest!</p>