Sony has reintroduced its Aibo robotic dog.

These AI Robots Learn about Their Patients as They Provide Care

Japan loves its robots. The Japanese have long held closer relationships with robots than other nationalities. Using bots to build cars is one thing Japan took an early liking to. But they also liked the friend bot or emotional support robot. And the positive effect these various robots have had is really remarkable.

A story we picked from cbs.com gave a pretty detailed overview of some of the personal robots Japan has introduced into everyday life.

The article penned by Lucy Craft has some really surprising facts about the bots and how they have been accepted by Japanese of all ages.

As pandemic-led isolation triggers an epidemic of loneliness, Japanese are increasingly turning to “social robots” for solace and mental healing.

At the city’s Penguin Cafe, proud owners of the electronic dog Aibo gathered recently with their cyber-pups in Snuglis and fancy carryalls. From camera-embedded snouts to their sensor-packed paws, these high-tech hounds are nothing less than members of the family, despite a price tag of close to $3,000—mandatory cloud plan not included.

Would Americans be willing to turn to an AI-powered companion for an elder family member or for an emotionally disturbed child? Probably, because these same people will by several entertainment streams to keep the troubled people distracted.

Noriko Yamada rushed to order one, when her mother-in-law began showing signs of dementia several years ago. “Mother had stopped smiling and talking,” she told CBS News. “But when we switched the dog on, and it gazed up at her, she just lit up. Her behavior changed 180 degrees.”

But one robot startup is proving looks aren’t everything. Despite having neither head, arms nor legs, the Qoobo bot sold more than 30,000 units by September, many to stressed-out users working from home under COVID restrictions. The retail price starts at about $200.

Yukai Engineering CEO Shunsuke Aoki told CBS News that Qoobo leverages the most pleasing parts of a pet — a fluffy torso, and a wagging tail.

“At first, it seemed weird,” he said. “But when you pet an animal like a cat, you usually don’t bother to look at its face.”

The possibilities of using robots in helping to care for humans are huge and there are more of them every day. They even make these bots have a temperature of 98.6 degrees to make them feel more alive.

The article goes on to detail several service bots and the link below will give you a look at some video that shows the emotional support bots in action.

read more at cbsnews.com