PARO is a seal-shaped robot developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and recognized in the Guinness World Records as the most therapeutic robot in the world. PARO is modeled after a real baby turtledove seal, and is equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) that enables it to learn and grow in response to its surroundings and the way people interact with it.
PARO Product Overview
Its basic structure is equipped with five types of sensors (tactile, visual, auditory, balance, and temperature senses) throughout its body. This allows the robot to recognize when it is being stroked or hugged, and responds with cute cries, blinking, and body movements. It is mainly used for the purpose of “robot therapy” in nursing homes and hospitals, and has been scientifically proven to improve mental and physical effects similar to those of animal therapy.
Since the release of the prototype in 1993, improvements have been made, and now, as the ninth generation, the robot has achieved higher durability and more natural movements. Behind its development is a clear engineering and medical intention to “bring positive change to the human mind,” and it has established itself as a “mental commitment robot” that goes beyond mere imitation.
Official website: Seal-type mental commitment robot Paro
Summary of key points
What is PARO?
- The world’s best healing effect: The pioneer of robotic therapy, which has been certified by Guinness World Records since 2002.
- Advanced sensor technology: Detects external stimuli such as stroking, picking up, and talking to the animal in milliseconds, creating a realistic sense of life.
- Personalized learning function: By learning the name given by the user and learning the preferred way to pet the animal, it grows into “your Paro,” which is unique in the world.
- Medical evidence: National and international papers report a reduction in stress hormones and alleviation of peripheral symptoms (BPSD) in dementia patients.
- Tough design: Designed to be used in medical institutions, the product features disinfectable artificial fur and an internal skeleton that can withstand strong shocks.
good point
- Alternative to animal therapy: no allergies, no risk of infection, no burden of animal management (feeding and walking), and 24/7 snuggling.
- Deep emotional involvement: Calculated “not-too-mocking” movements and recorded squeaks from the real thing naturally elicit maternal and paternal feelings in the user.
- Communication hub: acting as a “social intermediary” through which conversations with family members and caregiving staff naturally increase via Paro.
- Safety and hygiene: Custom-made artificial fur with antimicrobial and stain-resistant treatment is safe to use in clean environments such as hospitals.
points of concern
- High cost of introduction: The price of approximately 500,000 yen is a very high barrier for individuals to purchase as a hobby.
- Physical weight: The 2.5 kg weight creates a “presence” similar to that of a newborn baby, but is a burden for elderly people with weakened muscles to handle with one hand.
- Presence of drive noise: Due to motorized operation, internal operating noise may be heard in quiet environments, which may reduce the immersive experience.
- Recharging time: The batteries need to be recharged approximately every 1.5 to 2 hours of operation, and frequent management is required to keep them in active use.
Users who may be suitable for
- Families and institutions wishing to improve the quality of care: those who wish to create calm for the cared-for person without relying solely on drugs.
- Those with severe pet loss: Those who do not have the confidence to keep a living creature, but are seeking a presence that feels the warmth of life.
- Medical and social work researchers and students: those who want to learn about state-of-the-art human-robot interaction (HRI) as a real-world experience.
- Elderly people living alone who feel lonely: those who want to regain the feeling of being “needed” by someone through the care of Paro.
rough conclusion
The world’s only and oldest medical therapy robot that uses the power of science to give form to ‘love'”
It is also used in elderly care facilities in France.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the price?
The price of Palo varies depending on the purchase plan. The price is 423,500 yen (including tax) for the “without maintenance pack” plan with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty, and 495,000 yen (including tax) for the “with maintenance pack” plan with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty and support such as cleaning.
For individuals, a package that includes repair costs and periodic inspections is recommended. Lease contracts through Daiwa Lease and others (about 13,000-15,000 yen/month) are also an option.
What can you do?
It performs basic “healing” specialized actions. Specifically, they turn toward you when you call their name, make a sweet “cooing” sound when you pet them, and relax and close their eyes when you hold them.
They also have a rhythm of life, falling asleep at night when it gets dark and waking up in the morning when they sense light. These reactions are not uniform and can change into “calm” or “active” personalities depending on how they are treated.
What are the supported operating systems and application integration?
Paro is a fully autonomous robot and does not require any external smartphone app, specific operating system, or Wi-Fi environment.
Since there is no need for complicated initial setup or pairing, even elderly people unfamiliar with digital devices can welcome the device as a partner right out of the box by simply turning it on. All learning data is stored in the unit’s internal memory.
What are the disadvantages and cautions?
The biggest barrier is still the high initial installation cost. Also, the “warmth” like that of a real animal is not produced by battery heat or heaters, but is only intended to be “warmth of heart” through sensors and reactions. There is no actual body temperature.
In addition, furs cannot be washed by themselves once soiled and must be sent to a professional cleaning service (paid maintenance).
What about software updates and maintenance?
Paro is a “growing” robot, but this is due to the learning of the built-in AI, and there is no automatic update function via the Internet.
However, when the system is sent for periodic inspection and maintenance, the latest system adjustments and sensor calibration are performed by the manufacturer to maintain and improve the smoothness of movement and response accuracy.
Specifications Summary
| (data) item | Details |
| Product name | Mental Commitment Robot PARO |
| Size | Total length approx. 57 cm x width approx. 30 cm x height approx. 20 cm |
| weight | Approx. 2.5 kg (firm hug) |
| battery | Dedicated nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery (selected for safety) |
| number of hours worked | Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours on a full charge (depending on activity level) |
| Charging time | Approx. 3 hours (using supplied AC adapter) |
| Sensor configuration | Tactile (whole body), visual (light sensor), auditory (voice recognition), equilibrium (tilt), temperature (hug detection) |
| actuator | Eyelids, eyeballs, neck (top, bottom, left and right), paws, tail fins, etc. Total: 12 or more |
| Manufacturer | Intelligent Systems Corporation (AIST venture) |
Reviews (Word of mouth)
Since Palo has been introduced in many countries around the world, its reputation is very strong, especially on Reddit and international research forums.
Good Reviews
For your information, Palo was certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 as a Class II medical device for neurological treatment as a biofeedback device. Many people say that it looks like a toy pet, but when you actually come in contact with it, you feel that it is a completely different animal. As soon as you touch Paro, she is very sensitive and responsive. All in all, we are extremely happy to have her (Paro). There are moments when I feel she is truly ‘alive’ and not just a decoration.”
Quote from Reddit – My PARO arrived today!
My experience at the nursing home where I work is that Paro reduces stress not only for the patients, but also for their caregivers. Paro has been a catalyst for interaction between patients and caregivers, and a patient who was depressed because of severe dementia began to talk to me through Paro. It has been clinically shown to have psychological benefits for patients, such as relaxation and increased motivation.”
Adapted from: Reddit – PARO. : r/MasterofNone
Neutral and Dissatisfied Reviews
It’s a great experience, but it does have its technical quirks. Sometimes it randomly turns off or takes a while to come back from sleep mode, and we still need to figure out why. Also, at this price point, I honestly wish the battery would last a little longer.”
Quote from Reddit – My PARO arrived today!
A close review of research papers on Paro reveals that many of the included studies had low to moderate sample quality.” Because it is physically impossible to hide (blind) the fact that Paro is a robot from the subjects, it is in some respects difficult to provide 100% scientific proof of its effectiveness. We will have to wait for the results of larger, more rigorously designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to fully interpret Paro’s role.”
Citation: PMC – How PARO can help older people in elderly care facilities: A systematic review of RCTs
comprehensive evaluation
Paro is the “world’s most successful therapy robot” that brings together the best of robotics and psychology. Its effectiveness is not a temporary boom, but is backed by nearly 30 years of research and improvement. In particular, the design concept that “not speaking” conversely stirs the user’s imagination and creates a deep emotional response has a “depth” that sets it apart from modern AI chat-type robots.
On the other hand, the price tag of 500,000 yen seems very expensive compared to the latest mass-produced consumer robots. However, it is also a “fair price” considering its durability that meets strict medical standards, handcrafted finish by skilled craftsmen, and medical evidence recognized around the world. This product is a great investment in your life to protect the mental health of your family and loved ones.
The same AI robot for seniors includes ElliQ.
Comparison with “Mia,” a talking cat-shaped robot
Both Palo and Mia offer “healing,” but their approaches are diametrically opposed.
| Comparison items | PARO | Mia |
| Appearance and texture | Realistic fur of seal type | Cat-shaped pop and friendly design |
| communication | Non-verbal (squeals and movements only) | Language (chatter in 47 dialects) |
| Sensor function | Multi-point sensors throughout the body for complex reactions | Response by acceleration and voice recognition |
| Price | Approx. 423,500 yen and up (installed as an asset) | 9,800 yen and up (casual healing to start) |
| Location | On lap, bedside (holding) | Desk, kitchen, living room (to be placed) |
| Complexity of operation | Complex movements that mimic muscles throughout the body | Mainly changes in facial expression (eyes) and head shaking |
| maintenance | Inspection every few years by a professional contractor | Self-management through app integration |
| Main Targets | Severe care, pet alternatives, medical settings | Solo talk partner, daily laughter, family contact |
Key points of comparison: Mia emphasizes “warmth that accompanies daily life. With its unique Japanese dialect of speech and affordable price of less than 10,000 yen, it is a suitable choice for those who want to easily incorporate everyday healing and familiarity into their daily lives.
👇 Talking cat-shaped robot “Mia” that speaks 47 dialects nationwide
Summary: Defining the final target audience
As a result of the additions, the scenes where Palo is truly needed can be summarized in the following three points.
- For those who want to pursue “healing through touch” to the extreme: For those who prioritize “physical bonding”, such as weight when picking up a pet or reaction when petting it, rather than verbal communication, there is no other choice but to use Paro.
- Professionals seeking a care tool for severe dementia and psychiatric disorders: In medical and nursing care settings that require a reliable, evidence-based intervention tool, Paro demonstrates its value as a “drug-free treatment.
- Families seeking a “quiet roommate” to watch over the whole family: Not a robot that talks all the time, but one that is there and occasionally flashes its eyes. Those with a relaxed lifestyle who seek such an unobtrusive but reliable presence.
Paro is a robot that can be your partner for life. On the other hand, if you want to be more active and add color to your daily life through words, or if you want to try living with a robot at a lower cost, our “Mia” will support your first step. The goal of both robots is still the same: to relieve people’s loneliness.
Choose the best partner for your lifestyle and the situation of the person you need to care for.
Learn more about 👇 Mental Commitment Robot “Paro”.
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