Of singing dolls and gymnastics dogs
For Sabina Misoch, Head of the Interdisciplinary Competence Centre for Ageing at the FHS St.Gallen, one of the highlights of her research trip to Japan was a visit to a nursing home offering robotic therapies.
For Sabina Misoch, Head of the Interdisciplinary Competence Centre for Ageing at the FHS St.Gallen, one of the highlights of her research trip to Japan was a visit to a nursing home offering robotic therapies.
Japan’s Takanori Shibata developed the PARO therapeutic robot almost 20 years ago. Today, PARO is used in geriatric care in over 30 countries worldwide. At the invitation of Sabina Misoch, Head of the Interdisciplinary Competence Centre for Ageing at the FHS St.Gallen, the scientist visited St.Gallen last week for a lecture – and he had a hidden surprise in his luggage.
«PARO» is a robotic seal that is used around the world to help treat people with dementia. It was invented by Takanori Shibata from Japan. Sabina Misoch, Head of the Interdisciplinary Competence Centre for Ageing at the FHS St.Gallen, met up with him on her research trip to Japan.
During her first week in Japan, Sabina Misoch visited Robo Universe Exhibition, which is part of the CEATEC Fair in Tokyo. Her goal: to find out about new robot systems and connect with potential industrial partners for the Living Lab project in Switzerland. The gerontologist had to overcome unexpectedly high language barriers and came across some rather strange (new) robots – such as a cat without a head.