Why Robots Are the Future of Elder Care From: GOOD By: Mark Hay Robotic caregivers is a concept Japan has been pushing for a while now - in 2013 and 2014 especially, the Japanese government poured millions into incentivizing eldercare robotics development. Many have looked at Japan's kawaii and cuddly droids and rolled their eyes, questioning whether or not such technologies could ever really gain traction with the rest of the world. But over the past couple of years, elder care robot research and development has grown more conventional and cheaper, producing products with greater functionality and broader consumer acceptance. And it's started to take hold in companies beyond Japan too, suggesting a growing wave of acceptance and support for the concept. So no matter how uncomfortable we may be with robots, it seems like it's high time for all of us to accept, if not enthusiastically embrace, the dawning of the Asimov era. Read the entire article at: http://magazine.good.is/articles/robots-elder-care-pepper-exoskeletons-japan Links: Paro http://www.parorobots.com/ Tmsuk http://www.tmsuk.co.jp/english/ Softbank Pepper https://www.aldebaran.com/en/a-robots/who-is-pepper Encore Smart http://www.pcworld.com/article/2834892/smart-walkers-lead-the-way-for-japanese-eldercare-robots.html Robear http://www.engadget.com/2015/02/26/robear-japan-caregiver/ Cyberdyne Hybrid Assistive Limbs http://www.cyberdyne.jp/english/ Sumbitted by Arne Folkedal