Thursday, May 24, 2007

Robotic Pet Therapy




Paro , the world's most therapeutic robot, was developed by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology to provide emotional well being to humans.


Based on the well-known properties of Pet Therapy , "Paro" - who is a Baby Harp Seal - has been designed to provide relaxation, entertainment and emotional companionship for children and adults who cannot care for a live animal, or whose environment prevents cohabitation with a live animal. Take a gander at all this amazing robot offers:


Covered in soft white antibacterial fur, Paro's artificial intelligence means it can mimic animal behavior and over time, even develop its own character. Paro has five kinds of sensors: tactile, light, audition, temperature, and posture sensors, with which it can perceive people and its environment. With the light sensor, Paro can recognize light and dark. He feels being stroked by tactile sensor or being held by the posture sensor. As Paro is an autonomous robot, it can express feelings, such as surprise, happiness, shyness and fear and voluntarily moves its eyes, head and legs. He can also recognize the direction of voice and words such as its name, greetings, and praise with its audio sensor. Oh, and by the way, this little guy recognizes seven different languages.



This amazing robot has been used in pediatric hospital wards, nursing homes, and with children who have special needs.


Technology is so cool.