MIT Working on Robotic Weight Loss Coach

We all need a little moral support when pursuing weight loss. Some people blog about about their experience, others make videos about it, but in the near future motivation to lose weight will come from a robot sitting in your kitchen. The mad scientists over at The Media Lab have developed the first robotic weight loss coach. A set of them have been built in Boston as part of a study that will look at how humans interact with robots, as well as how useful robots can be as weight loss assistants.

Each robot has a built-in camera with face-tracking technology to help the robot make eye contact with the user as they interact. It also includes a touchscreen computer that tracks the amount of calories a person has consumed and burned on a daily basis. It seems the robot will then use the information you enter to help you shed a few pounds throughout the year. I like the way MIT is thinking, and personally I wouldn't mind a little scolding each time I reach for a Twinkie. To see a video of the robot in action head over to The Media Lab.

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