Babyloid
Designed by a professor at the Chukyo University in Japan, the Babyloid is a robot that imitates a baby’s behavior. Its aim is to help the elderly feel less lonely and stop depression.
Although it looks like a fluffy plush blob, it is actually quite capable. It can produce more than 100 different sounds, as the professor who made it recorded his youngest daughters sounds and incorporated it into the robot’s design. It may seem ludicrous, but scientific studies show that it greatly alleviates symptoms of depression. (And by the way, the reason why it doesn’t look like a real baby is because “the basic design — with a simplified, smiling face — was chosen ‘to avoid the creepiness a realistic baby face can have.’”)
HOSPI-Rimo
Made last year by Panasonic, the HOSPI-Rimo makes virtual visits and chatting for the elderly so much simpler.
The HOSPI-Rimo is able to autonomously move around very easily, navigating to different floors and avoiding collisions with people in the hallway. IT also allows bedridden patients and the elderly who don’t often have to chance to talk with their family and friends to virtually visit without having to know how to use the technology.
Hair-washing Robot
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to get your hair washed by a robot? Well wait no longer!
Panasonic’s newest version of its hair-washing robot is here! Designed for the elderly or less able (but also featured in some hair salons in Japan for general use), the robot sprays water and applies shampoo and conditioner while using 24 robotic fingers to massage your scalp. It is said that it can give an even better hair experience than humans!
Other
Most of these other older robots are pretty cool too, and their videos explain them well. Enjoy!
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