[Update: 4:00pm 5/25/2011 – canceled due to weather]
“PARO”, the therapeutic baby seal robot invented by Dr. Takanori Shibata of Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology, will be on display for viewing and interactions with guests on Wednesday, May 25th, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the FedEx Institute of Technology, Methodist Presentation Theater, at the University of Memphis.
Dr. Shibata will present a lecture entitled “PARO the Seal Robot: Improving and Enriching Human Lives through Robot Technology.” This program will outline the development of the robot over the last two decades and its use in health care facilities in Japan and around the world. PARO is currently being used to soothe victims of the earthquake and tsunami in the Tohoku area of Japan.
To attend the lecture and demonstration, please contact Akemi Sommer at asommer@memphis.edu or (901) 482-1830 by Friday, May 20th. A reception will follow the event.
This program is presented by the Consulate General of Japan in Nashville, The University of Memphis, and JAST West, in conjunction with JETRO.