AIST developed the seal-like robot PARO in 2001. Considered to be a therapeutic robot, it has voice and touch recognition and can tell when it is being held. PARO has the ability to improve motivation and relaxation among patients by making sounds, imitating a baby harp seal, and repeating the actions the user prefers it to exhibit.
Ntl. Inst. of Advanced Industrial Science and Tech. (AIST)
