Taizo

On Thursday — shortly before the Japanese government released new statistics showing the nation’s centenarian population has reached an all-time high of more than 40,000 — researchers from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) unveiled a new humanoid robot designed to lead the elderly in physical exercises. (Video)

Dressed in a velvety space suit and sporting a goofy grin, the 70-centimeter (28-in) tall robot, named “Taizo” (a play on the word “taisou,” which means “calisthenics”), has a friendly appearance designed to motivate elderly people to engage in more physical exercise.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06fY6YdHobY&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

With 26 joints in its body, the 7-kilogram (15-lb) mechanical exercise instructor can smoothly demonstrate around 30 different moves for others to imitate. Although Taizo does most of its exercises while sitting in a special chair, it can also stand up to perform some activities.

Taizo can operate for about two hours on a single charge, and it has very basic language skills — enough to understand simple spoken commands and lead a group in exercise.

The developers plan to start selling (and renting) the robots next year for around 800,000 yen (approx. $8,000) each.

Via Pink Tentacle