A photo from open sources
Seal robots became widely known in 2011. Then they “comforted” the elderly Japanese affected by the tsunami and earthquakes. Now these unusual inventions have reached Finnish pensioners. A Japanese robot therapist named Paro, made in the form of a baby seal, appeared nursing home Koivukyla, located in Vanta. Snow-white and fluffy a seal named Lumi (Finnish “snow”) 57 cm long and 3 kg in weight can move, blink, respond to stroking, show surprise, discontent and joy. Lumi is equipped with sensors, responsive to temperature, touch, light and voice. Thanks to this, he can behave like a living creature, responding to his name and imitating the sounds of a real seal. Paro robot is designed for Improving the well-being and health of patients in hospitals and homes the elderly. It affects the psychological state of a person like pets, it causes a pleasant tactile sensation and warm feelings in people, contributes to their relaxation and reduces stress. A robot can be an alternative to a live pet for those who with dislike recalls biting dogs or scratching cats. The robot also relieves its patients of the need to walk and feed them. But still, he requires some self-care, which, in in turn, stimulates the development of memory in the elderly. For the night the seal robot needs to be given a pacifier, which is actually the battery. Lumi is charged and in the morning she again becomes vigorous and ready to take the next portion of affection and warmth from the elderly. IN Paro therapeutic robots have been delivered in Finland since last fall. In Helsinki and its suburbs, 10 such Lumi. Seal robots are used for treatment in US hospitals, Germany, Holland, Denmark and other countries.
Robots
