Robotics Technology Center

Pet Therapy: “AIBO” Robot, A Reassuring Company for the Elderly

Most of the elderly people who live alone in nursing homes, homes for the aged, or even in their own home, feel lonely. Although a number of hospital staffs or caregivers attend to their physical, emotional and psychological needs, most of them feel abandoned. Perhaps, the primary reason for this, is that they want their own loved ones to take care of them.

However, the U.S. and European countries in particular depend largely on nursing homes to accommodate and care for the senior members of society. That's why new technologies arise to support their needs for personal companion and happiness.

A senior playing with Aibo

A recent study was conducted comparing two dogs, one real and the other robot. The test was given to elder patients in residences and three nursing homes, and the result showed that "a robot dog was just as reassuring and companionable as a real dog for elderly residents in nursing homes".

Aibo, short for Artificial Intelligence and BO, for robot, is a dog robot which had touch sensors, sound, voice and face recognition, the ability to learn from its environment and express emotion. Later models of Aibo even had LED face lights to better show a range of emotions.

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