Paro (robot)

Paro is a therapeutic robot developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), a leading industrial automation pioneer in Japan. It is designed to interact with humans and provide comfort and companionship, particularly for elderly people with dementia.

Design and Functionality

Paro is modeled after a baby harp seal, a design choice intended to be both cute and unfamiliar, so that people do not have preconceived notions about its behavior. It is covered in soft artificial fur to make it pleasant to touch and hold.

Paro has five kinds of sensors: tactile, light, audition, temperature, and posture sensors, with which it can perceive people and its environment. It can recognize light and dark, hear sounds, feel being stroked, and recognize the direction of voice and words such as its name, greetings, and praise.

Paro can learn to behave in a way that the user prefers, and to respond to its new name. For example, if it is stroked every time it squeals, it will remember this and make the same noise more frequently.

Therapeutic Use

Paro has been found to have numerous therapeutic effects. It has been used in various countries, including Japan and the EU, where it has been certified as a type of neurologic therapeutic device by the EU.

In the United States, Paro has been used in nursing homes and hospitals to help reduce patient stress and to stimulate interaction between patients and caregivers. It has been shown to produce effects similar to animal-assisted therapy with dogs or cats, but without requiring a live animal with the associated care and potential for injury or allergic reactions.

Reception

Paro has been recognized as one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" by Fast Company in 2010, and has been displayed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Smithsonian Institution.

See Also

• Robotics
• Therapeutic robots
• Animal-assisted therapy
• National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

References

Paro (robot) Resources
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