Specially designed for therapy and modeled after a baby seal in appearance, sounds and behavior, the therapy robot is the size of a cat and is made especially for use in hospitals and nursing homes. This cute robot, which looks like a baby seal, can analyze the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. It has benefits such as reducing negative emotions and behaviors, improving social engagement and staying in a positive mood.
Designed to cuddle with people, this touch-sensitive robot can learn names and interact with people by making sounds similar to real baby seals. Paro has 3 main benefits: reducing negative emotions and behaviors, improving social engagement, and staying in a positive mood. Paro has also been clinically proven to reduce anxiety, stress, pain and depression.
It was created in 2004 by Japanese engineer Dr. Takanori Shibata and is the 8th generation of the design used throughout Europe. Produced for use in hospitals and nursing homes, the robot is a baby harp seal that reduces stress, anxiety and antipsychotic use in elderly patients with dementia.
Benefits of Using a Therapy Robot
Because it is playful for both adult patients and children, it makes them feel good by helping them cope with neurological or cognitive disorders. The benefits of using the Paro companion therapy robot are as follows;
- Reducing negative emotions and behaviors,
- Improving social inclusion,
- Stay in a positive mood,
TheParo companion therapy robot is the size of a cat, with dual 32-bit processors, three microphones, a touch-sensitive whisker with twelve tactile sensors covering its fur, and the ability to move its limbs and body silently. It recharges by sucking on its electric pacifier. Paro responds to you by moving her tail. It cries for attention and reacts to sounds and its name. Designed to cuddle with people, he can learn their names and interact with you by making sounds similar to real baby seals. It can move its legs by reacting as if it were alive.
Which diseases is it used to treat?
Paro can be used to help heal some ailments. It can analyze the characteristics of autism. After the study conducted to evaluate the effects of robots on children with autism spectrum disorder, it was seen that it has numerous benefits. The Paro companion therapy robot also benefits children as they become social companions for those who interact with it. It has found encouraging effects of new social behaviors such as increased engagement, increased attention levels and joint attention. Paro, a playmate, has the ability to behave like a human with the roles of social actor, therapist.
Paro is able to analyze the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder and intervene by creating controlled environments that help reduce the anxiety that can result from autism spectrum disorder.
In addition, the robot, which is produced for use in hospitals and nursing homes, is designed on the model of a baby harp seal, which is used to provide psychological support to elderly patients with dementia. Other diseases in which the treatment robot is used are as follows;
- Dementia, emotional and behavioral problems,
- Cognitive disorders,
- Developmental disorders,
- PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) and social isolation,
- Palliative and hospice care.