Paro the Robot Seal Helps Elderly Recover from Nuclear
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I’ve heard of animals, especially dogs, being used in
zootherapy, but this is the first time that I’ve seen a robot being
used in the same manner (robotherapy?). The therapeutic robot Paro
was used in a retirement home in Japan to help residents deal with
the trauma of the tsunami and subsequent earthquake.
Paro is cute and cuddly, and will respond to your affection. The
residents are treating the robots as pets. There are currently two
of them in the retirement home. The robot seals have eyes that will
open and close, and an anti-bacterial coat to keep it from
spreading illnesses between people.
It’s an innovative way of using robots, but I wonder if
plain-old animals wouldn’t be better. Yes, there is less
maintenance, but dogs don’t need to be recharged.
Watch video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx8mv87e6wE