GeckoSystems Intl. comments on HeathCareDigest.com's mobile robot solutions article

Dec 29 2009

GeckoSystems Intl. Corp. (PINKSHEETS: GCKO) (http://www.geckosystems.com/) announced today that they are very pleased with the recent press coverage they have received from HeathCareDigest.com and the article's author, Michael D. Shaw. GeckoSystems is a dynamic leader in the emerging mobile robotics industry revolutionizing their development and usage with "Mobile Robot Solutions for Safety, Security and Service™."

"All of us here at GeckoSystems are excited about Mr. Shaw's article entitled, 'Tireless Caregiver For The Homebound: A Robot.' (http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Family_Health_210/Tireless_Caregiver_For_The_Homebound_A_Robot.shtml) Shaw is an executive vice president of Interscan Corporation and author of numerous articles and commentaries. We are gratified, once again, by our inclusion in an article discussing the benefits of in home medical monitoring systems incorporating personal companion robots and appreciative to receive this kind of recognition for our many years of hard work," stated Martin Spencer, President/CEO, GeckoSystems.

Many in the U.S. may mistakenly believe that the Japanese are world leaders in personal robot development. However, this is not the case. In the last ten years, the Japanese government has granted over $100M in R&D funding amongst their leading international manufacturers for the development of eldercare personal companion robots, but still have no viable products developed. An excellent illustration of this is Matsushita's recent failure when they attempted to sell their "Wakamaru" personal companion robot. Many observers believe it lacked sufficient cost effective utility that prevented it from being perceived as a "value" by the Japanese consumer. It has been taken off the market.

Like an automobile, mobile robots are made from steel, aluminum, plastic, and electronics, but with ten to twenty times the amount of software running. The CareBot has an aluminum frame, plastic shroud, two independently driven wheels, multiple sensor systems, microprocessors and several onboard computers connected in a local area network (LAN). The microprocessors directly interact with the sensor systems and transmit data to the onboard computers. The onboard computers each run independent, highly specialized cooperative/subsumptive artificial intelligence (AI) software programs, GeckoSavants™, which interact to complete tasks in a timely, intelligent and common sense manner. GeckoNav™, GeckoChat™ and GeckoTrak™ are primary GeckoSavants. GeckoNav is responsible for maneuvering, avoiding dynamic and/or static obstacles, seeking waypoints and patrolling. GeckoChat is responsible for interaction with the care-receiver such as answering questions, assisting with daily routines and reminders, and responding to other verbal commands. GeckoTrak, which is mostly transparent to the user, enables the CareBot to maintain proximity to the care-receiver using sensor fusion. The CareBot is also a new type of internet appliance that is accessible for remote video/audio monitoring and telepresence.

"In the U.S. we project the available market size in dollars for cost effective, utilitarian, multitasking eldercare personal companion robots in 2010 to be $74.0B, in 2011 to be $77B, in 2012 to be $80B, in 2013 to be $83.3B, and in 2014 to be $86.6B. With market penetrations of 0.03% in 2010, 0.06% in 2011, 0.22% in 2012, 0.53% in 2013, and 0.81% in 2014, we will anticipate sales, from this consumer market segment, only, of $22.0M, $44.0M, $176M, $440.2M, and $704.3M, respectively. We expect these sales despite -- and perhaps because of -- the present recession due to pent up demand for significant cost reduction in eldercare expenses. While government reimbursement is not presently readily available, the new Healthcare Bill may change that. Elder care costs are already being absorbed by family members, so the cost effectiveness and utility do not need to be government reimbursed to significantly diminish the financial and time stress burdens already assumed by the caregiver(s)," concluded Spencer.