The EL-E, which is powered by a single Mac mini that sits at its base, stands at 5 ½ feet tall. Its exterior is dominated by sensors, lasers and cameras -- all of which help the robot work and find the item that has been targeted by the user.  

To work the robot, users are required to simply point a laser at an object for a few seconds. To confirm the robot has received the command, it emits a beep and proceeds to move to the object, rolling towards it using its three wheels. Once it is in range, the mechanical arm of the robot grabs the item, and when the user points the laser at his or her foot, it moves back to the user. The robot then searches for a human face before offering the item. According to researchers working on the robot, the EL-E has a 90% success rate.  

Talking to the Associated Press, Charlie Kemp, director of Georgia Tech's Center for Healthcare Robotics and the EL-E's designer, says that the robot “creates a clickable world. The entire world becomes a point and click interface. Objects become buttons. And if you point at one, the robot comes to grab it."

The robot is still in the early stages of its development. Its mechanical crane can only lift a maximum of 1.2 pounds. Researchers are optimistic about the possibilities the robot holds. They envision a future where the EL-E will one day be able to open doors, turn off light switches, and guide patients through the halls.  

In designing the robot, the design team wants to change the conventional rules for robots. Kemp believes that many times the primary focus of engineers is to make a robot act like a human. However, in pursuit of making the robot more like a human, the engineers end up not looking at other avenues through which robots can interact with people.

Researchers plan to test the robot in a real-world environment this summer with patients who have degenerative diseases. The cost of constructing the robot has not been disclosed.