Taizo Inspires Elderly to Exercise
The elderly are old enough to know what’s good for them but some just lack the motivation to apply what they know. Initial tests have shown this silly-looking robot to be capable of change that attitude.
Exercise can improve blood circulation and neurocognitive function; reduce the effects of osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and diabetes; and all in all, prolong the lives of our senior citizens.
However, due to aching muscles, bones, and joints, your grandfather or grandmother might not have the drive to perform exercises even if they know these activities are good for them.
The trick is to simply get them hooked.
A team from a Japanese government research institute has realized the importance of this concept and succeeded in developing a robot that could both perform exercise demonstrations and encourage elderly people to follow its actions.
The 7-kg, 70 cm-tall robot, named Taizo, is also capable of barking simple phrases to signal the start of a session or exercise.
Taizo’s advancement is being spearheaded by the Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture and backed by other organizations.
The man at the helm, Hitoshi Ota, is a recognized expert in rehabilitation. Together with his little partner, Taizo, Ota has visited care facilities and received positive response from the patients who waste no time imitating the robot’s moves.
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