Japan Eyes Robots to Aid Senior Citizens

October 4, 2007 By HIROKO TABUCHI, Associated Press Writer

A woman wearing a robotic exoskeleton gives a demonstration at a home care and rehabilitation convention in Tokyo Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007. With nearly 22 percent of Japan\'s population already aged 65 or older, businesses here have been rolling out everything from easy-entry cars to remote-controlled beds, fueling a care technology market worth some 126 billion yen (US$1.08 billion; euro766 million) in 2006, according to industry figures. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

(AP) -- If you grow old in Japan, expect to be served food by a robot, ride a voice-recognition wheelchair or even possibly hire a nurse in a robotic suit - all examples of cutting-edge technology to care for the country's rapidly graying population.

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• KB6 - Oct 04, 2007
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  "A full-body robotic suit developed by the Kanagawa Institute of Technology outside Tokyo is a massive contraption powered by 22 air pumps to help nurses hoist patients on and off their beds."
  
  Nurse Gundam!
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