Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has developed an assistant robot to address the increasingly ageing population. The company explained that a quarter of Japanese citizens are over 65 and by 2055, this is predicted to rise to 40%.
For Toyota, science and technology’s development to successfully help individuals in their day-to day life is vital.
The robot created by the company is only 1m tall and weighs 37Kg. It’s white and black and can be operated remotely, by voice commands or through a tablet or other electronic device.
It’s been designed to help people with disabilities or the elderly have a much easier life, carrying out various tasks that benefit them every day, such as bringing them food and drink or opening doors.
QR codes are planted around the house, which can be read by the robot as it goes about its daily chores and although this method seems a little outdated, Toyota said it’s not cost-effective to implement object detection chips just yet, although it hopes to integrate this tech in future.
The robot also allows other people to communicate with its user through a display on the robots head.
Toyota’s human support robot has also been designed to help individuals with mobility issues and so is currently being tested at Romy Carmago, an American veteran who was left paralysed from his neck after being shot in action.
The company has posted a video of the robot, showing how it’s being used in Carmago’s home, with reactions from the veteran’s family about how it’s benefitting his life.
Toyota is also looking to create other robots aimed at the same market. For example, its Care Assist robot will help lifting patients from their beds and the Walk Assist robot, which can help individuals experiencing problems to walk.
