Pre-Reading Questions:
- Do you want to have a caregiver when you get old? Why or why not?
- Which do you like, a talking robot or a flying robot?
Vocabulary:
- companion /kuhm-PAN-yuhn/
- affection /uh-FEK-shuhn/
- significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/
- encourage /en-KUR-ij/
- attracted /uh-TRAKT-uhd/
- evolution /ev-uh-LOO-shuhn/
[noun] a person you spend a lot of time with
Her high school best friend has been her companion whenever she travels abroad.
[noun] a feeling of liking for a person or place
John didn’t feel any affection when he saw his biological father for the first time.
[adjective] important or noticeable
There are significant changes in the new management after the replacement of the president.
[verb] to make someone more likely to do something
Her mother always encourages her to do her best especially now that she’s on top.
[adjective] to cause someone to like something
She is always attracted to him because of his hygiene.
[noun] a gradual process of change and development
Cath’s new research proposal is about the evolution of language.
France made a new experiment named Zora, a robot caregiver that helps elderly patients. Zora serves as a companion for the lonely adults in a hospital in Jouarre. Most patients have dementia and some have conditions that require all day care.
On Zora’s first day in the facility, patients developed an affection to this robot, treating it like a real human. Some hold it like a baby and give hugs and kisses.
Zora costs up to $18 000. The Belgium-based provider has sold over 1000 robots to the health care facilities around the world.
A study in Australia reveals the significant effects of this robot to the patients and staff. It improved the mood of some patients and encouraged them to do more activities.
However, not everyone is attracted to Zora. Some say that this robot can not replace humans. But, researchers also think that the invention of such things can not be avoided in this fast evolution of technology.
Comprehension Questions:
- Who is Zora?
- From what country is Zora?
- How much does Zora cost?
- What did the patients develop when Zora first came to the facility?
- What country made a research on the effects of Zora to the patients and staff?
Discussion Questions:
- In your opinion, how helpful is Zora to the patients?
- Do you think elderly patients need more attention? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that the invention of robots like Zora will increase more in the future?
- If you would make your own robot, what would it be and why?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of robots? Explain your answer.