Japanese Care Robot Lifts Patients from Bed to Wheelchair From: PCWorld - 08/05/2011 "RIBA-II" was developed by RIKEN, a Japanese government-run research body that surveyed nursing homes to find that lifting patients was the most tiring thing for workers - and they do it an average of 40 times each day. View a video at: http://www.pcworld.com/article/237360/japanese_care_robot_lifts_patients_from_bed_to_wheelchair.html Links: Researchers at RIKEN Develop RIBA-II Robot for Elderly Care http://www.azorobotics.com/news.aspx?newsID=1893 Giant teddy bear robot can pick you off the floor http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20086989-1/giant-teddy-bear-robot-can-pick-you-off-the-floor/ Japanese create teddy bear robot nurse http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10320851-1.html Robot teddy bear nurse helps move patients http://www.zdnet.com/blog/health/robot-teddy-bear-nurse-helps-move-patients/290 Robo-teddy bear RIBA II can lift you off the floor http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-08/03/robo-teddy-riba Riken http://www.riken.go.jp/engn/ Related: Wrist Rehabilitation Robot Helps the Paralyzed http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/02/wrist-rehabilitation-robot-helps-the-paralyzed-video/ --- RIBA-II, the next generation care-giving robot From: REiken Press Releases - 08/02/2011 New robot boasts the latest in sensor technology, promises a brighter future for Japan's elderly population A new robot using high-precision tactile sensors and flexible motor control technology has taken Japan one step closer to its goal of providing high-quality care for its growing elderly population. Developed by researchers at RIKEN and Tokai Rubber Industries (TRI), the new robot can lift a patient up to 80 kg in weight off floor-level bedding and into a wheelchair, freeing care facility personnel of one of their most difficult and energy-consuming tasks. New joints in the robot's base and lower back enable RIBA-II to crouch down and lift a patient off a futon at floor level, the most physically strenuous task for care-givers and one that RIBA was not able to do. RIBA-II accomplishes this task using newly-developed capacitance-type tactile sensors made entirely of rubber. Printed in sheets and fitted onto the robot's arms and chest, the sensors enable high-precision tactile guidance and allow RIBA-II to quickly detect a person's weight from touch alone. In the future, RTC researchers will work together with partner nursing care facilities to test RIBA-II and further tailor it to the needs of care-givers and their patients. Read the entire article at: http://www.riken.jp/engn/r-world/info/release/press/2011/110802_2/index.html Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/rikenchannel?feature=mhee#p/u/3/wyNa7b4eHRo