ROBOTS WHO CAN SCHMOOZE

ASEE Prism, Mar 2005 by Craft, Lucy

TECHNOLOGY

TOKYO -The antidote to becoming the world's fastest graying society? In Japan, the solution is obvious. Recruit intelligent machines to help care for, entertain, and comfort the elderly. Humanoids have long been a staple of Japanese robot research. A slew of friendly bots designed for therapeutic use have been the focus of study in recent years and, today, Japanese humanoid research has started to leave the lab and enter the home, thanks to software advances that drastically lower costs while boosting functionality.

One of the latest incarnations is a chatty 18-inch model, named ifbot, that has attracted strong advance orders despite a hefty price tag of nearly $6,000. Programmed to comprehend and assemble millions of phrases, this bot is geared to serve as a companion and senility-prevention device for the elderly. A menu of 15 programs enables it to discuss the news, quiz its owner, and even prompt a round of karaoke.

Scientists are also perfecting robotic pets for nursing homes and children's hospital wards. They anticipate that these soft, furry bots can achieve some of the same results as flesh-and-blood pets. Indeed, in such environments, bots may be preferable to real animals: They're more sanitary and safe for patients with allergies. And, of course, there's no need to groom, feed, or walk them.

Humanoid bots -including entertainment bots, bipedal models, and handicapped assistants -are set to hold center stage at the upcoming 2005 World Exposition in Aichi, central Japan, this March.-LUCY CRAFT