Another step towards the robotic workforce.

[Zachstar]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/07/p...ug-dispensers/

Panasonic isn't quite ready to actually show off the robot just yet, but it says it could be making the rounds at some Japanese hospitals by next March, and head into the United States and Europe sometime after that.

it "does not look humanoid" but rather looks like "a cabinet with lots of small drawers"

That 2nd quote is EXTREMELY important. People seem to have this idea that next gen workforce robots have to look like something skynet made. That is not the case. They just have to do a job. Not look great doing it.

These med robots are extremely expensive right now and at most will replace a few thousand employees. Yet this is 2009 and small things that can do a GREAT deal like the Atom CPU have been out for only a few years. And super high MP sensors only a few as well. Give it a few years and I believe the news will start claiming its a "new wave"