Researchers hope the aging Japanese population can be cared for by robots and other unassisted technologies
Japan leads the world in robotic innovation and research, with researchers one day hoping to use their creations to assist the aging Japanese population on a larger scale.
For example, the Hybrid Assisted Limb (HAL) robotic suit can increase the strength of the person wearing it 10-fold, researchers claim, showing off the type of technology that is currently available.
The Japanese government is working closely with universities and research firms, as the number of citizens over the age of 65 years old continues to increase. Researchers in the United States also are involved in home assistant robots, but the technologies being developed in Japan still remain relatively untouched.
Panasonic is developing a new robotic bed that is able to convert into a joystick-controlled wheelchair when the owner commands it to transform. Robot nurse Riba also is able to lift medical patients who weigh up to 134 pounds, allowing a patient to shift from a wheelchair to a bed.
As companies and universities continue to develop robotic technology, they must now try and convince citizens that robotic caregivers are safe and reliable for independent care. In the immediate future, it's more likely a robotic assistant will help a trained nurse care for patients.
Another major issue is cost, as R&D and manufacturing costs put most caregiving robots out of the price range for most citizens.
In Japan -- where 22.5% of the Japanese population is now over the age of 65, according to Japanese ministry statistics -- the interest in robotic caregivers is expected to increase in the years to come.
"You can bet that Sony built a long-term business plan about being successful in Japan and that business plan is crumbling." -- Peter Moore, 24 hours before his Microsoft resignation
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