Japan’s Polar Robear: Strength of a robot, face of a bear

The world’s most “kawaii” country has come up with the “Robear” - a robot with a cub-like face, doe eyes but is packed with enough power to transfer frail patients from a wheelchair to a bed or a bath, announced Japan’s Riken Institution.

The polar cub-like look is aimed at radiating an atmosphere of strength, geniality and cleanliness at the same time.

Toshiharu Mukai, Robear research leader

A historically low birth rate and ever-increasing life expectancy means Japan’s population of elderly people is growing, while the pool of youngsters to look after them is shrinking. A reluctance to accept large-scale immigration means an increasing reliance on robots, especially to perform physically difficult work. This frequently combines with the country’s love of all things cute, to produce machines with disarming faces and child-like voices.

As Japan is ageing with fewer children, the problem of a shortage in caregivers for the elderly is getting serious.

Japan’s Riken Institute

Technology