Feeding machine, cuddly seals honored in Japan robotics prize
From: Technology Review - 12/21/2006

A feeding machine and a furry, therapeutic seal - both designed to make life
easier for older people - were among robots honored at a government-sponsored
robotics award ceremony in Japan. 

The "My Spoon" feeding robot, which won a prize in the "service robots"
category of the Robot Award 2006, helps elderly or disabled people eat with a
joystick-controlled swiveling arm that shovels morsels from a plate to the
person's mouth. 

My Spoon, which is already sold in Japan and Europe, doesn't force feed: the
spoon-fitted arm stops at a preprogrammed position in front of the mouth so
users can bite and swallow at their leisure, according to developer Secom Co. 

Another robot awarded in the service category was "Paro", a furry seal fitted
with sensors beneath its fur and whiskers that let it respond to petting by
opening and closing its eyes and moving its flippers. 

About 800 of the seal robots, developed by Japan's National Institute of
Advanced Industrial Science, are used for therapy in Japanese nursing homes
and by autistic and handicapped children, according to the award's Web site. 

Robots are seen in Japan as one way to deal with a rapidly aging population
and combat an impending labor shortage. The country's population of 127
million is expected to plunge 30 percent by 2055, with those aged 65 or older
making up 40 percent of that figure, according to government forecasts
released earlier this week. 

Amid a general reluctance to accept more foreign laborers, robots are seen as
a way to make up the shortfall in manpower either directly or by helping
older people work longer. Robots could also help care for the country's
growing elderly population, analysts say. 

Submitted by Kathy Griffin

Links:
Robot Award 2006:
http://www.robotaward.jp/prize/ (in Japanese)
http://www.robotaward.jp/prize/01/ (in Japanese)

METI to establish Robot of the Year Award
http://www.pinktentacle.com/2006/05/meti-to-establish-robot-of-the-year-award%e3%80%80/

Top 10 robots selected for Robot Award 2006
http://www.pinktentacle.com/2006/12/top-10-robots-selected-for-robot-award-2006/

The Robot Award 2006
http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstPhotos/index.php?cmenuid=27&
