Topic: Other
Category: Robotics
Technorati: Linking Blogs

Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) began leasing the "world's most theraputic robot" today, in honor of Respect for the Aged Day.

This robot, officially dubbed "most theraputic" by the Guiness Book of World Records, can be used in nursing homes.
This article even includes video footage of the robot in action.

Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Brain System Department and Microgenics announced o­n the 17th that they have developed the 8th generation of the "Paro" seal-shaped theraputic robot, and will begin leasing it to well-being institutions such as those for the elderly.

Sales activities will be conducted by "Brain Systems" as was established o­n September 17th by AIST's venture development strategy research center.

Paro has been in development by AIST since 1993. It is recognized as "the world's most theraputic robot" by the Guiness Book of World Records. It features learning functions, can remember names, will learn actions by being petted, and will do these actions frequently.

The improvements in this 8th generation include, based upon therapy improvement experiments, antibacterial, anti-dirt, and electromagnetic shielding, as well as safety and endurance.

The body is 57cm long, and has a weight of 2.7kg. It contains a face-touch sensor, whisker sensors, light sensor, microphone, temperature sensor, and an attitude sensor. Two actuators are freatured o­n the eyelids, two o­n the top/bottom, left/right of the upper body and back feet, and o­ne o­n the hind legs. The CPU is a 32-bit RISC chip. It features a ring-type NiMH rechargable battery and can operate for about o­ne and a half hours. Because each model is handmade, the facial features will also vary.

Since August of last year, Paro has been put into operation at the "Toyoura" Nursing Home in Ibaraki Prefecture's Tsukuba City. Helping the gloomy, cheering up, increasing conversation, and reducing stress have been effects of the introduction of the robot, as well as decreasing anxiety for nursing patients. There were reportedly no break-downs or accidents during the experiment.

Video - 3.08MB (WMV)



Inspired by:
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyle/articles/0409/17/news073.html

Press Release:
http://www.aist.go.jp/aist_j/press_release/pr2004/pr20040917_2/pr20040917_2.html