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The article “Robots to Aid the Disabled and Elderly” caught my attention because of the dramatic change such technology has the potential to affect. The review of this article provided strong insight as to how robots could one day administer treatment directly to patients as well as the constraints related to such technology, including regulations and ethical concerns. One way that robots are already being used without raising such concerns is through remote diagnosis. The VGo Robotic Telepresence Device is a robot that is remotely controlled by a person with a laptop. Using the keyboard or mouse, the remote person controls the robot and is able to hear, see and move around. This device would allow elderly patients to receive care in their homes from real doctors. The doctors in turn would be able to provide care more efficiently to more people. The device is pricey at about $6,000 and is still in its early stages, mostly being used by leading healthcare providers to test its practicality. However, in time it could provide a real solution to the issue of providing healthcare to an aging population in the U.S. Robotic healthcare is also relevant to my topic of concussions in sports. Some football teams are already using the VGo device so doctors can check a player for concussion symptoms in the locker room. One of the major reasons so many concussions go undetected is the time it takes to get a potentially concussed player to the hospital where a doctor can diagnose them. This device bridges that gap, providing teams the kind of on-the-spot diagnosis that doctors recommend.

Source: "Concussion Checks, via Robot." BostonGlobe.com. 2 Sept. 2013. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.