Therapeutic robots, lovely stuffed toy or high tech gem?

4.67 / 5

Published on 14/05/2012 - Edition 2012

At first, it’s a cute stuffed seal but in fact it is also an interactive high tech robot used as a therapy: here comes PARO!

Used in hospitals and care centers, PARO has proven psychological and physiological effects on patients. Under his looks of fluffed toy, this small seal is sensitive to touching, light, sound, temperature and to its position.

Ideal to replace animal therapy in places where animals are not allowed, it has been used in Japan and Europe for about ten years. Come and discover this adorable robot during a conference about therapeutic robotics at Japan Expo!

More about PARO, the therapeutic robot

Photos © Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Paris Office