Would You Let a Robot Teddy Bear Nurse Care For Your Child?

by Tom Henderson (Subscribe to Tom Henderson's posts) Sep 19th 2009 8:00AM

Categories: Health & Safety, In The News, Weird But True, Gadgets & Tech

This could be a wonderful technical innovation -- or the beginning of a really weird horror movie.

The Japanese have created giant, robot teddy bear nurses.

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Before anyone flees in terror, however, remember that Japanese robots have a better track record in real life than they do in movies. And these teddy bears are not programmed to crush cities. They are supposed to help patients in and out of beds and wheelchairs.

CNET reported that the robot teddy bears were created by Riken, a research center run by the Japanese government. They are said to be the first robots that can carry people in their arms.

According to CNET, the robo-bears can carry people up to 134 pounds in their foam-padded paws. Their teddy bear features are supposed to make the 300-pound mechanical beasties less imposing. (No word on how skittish patients feel about a 300-pound teddy bear coming to get them.)

The Web site reports that the teddy bears should be deployed in hospitals within five years. That's if all goes well. If something goes horribly, horribly awry, clear the streets and make way for the movie cameras.

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Comments (2)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Melissa 9-21-2009 @ 4:57PM

Are you kidding around here?? This is a joke, right??

carmine 9-22-2009 @ 10:33AM

hi just started reading. tom henderson my cousin is marred to person with same name her name is j . h deredita

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