Japan’s Robear: Strength of a robot, face of a bear

This picture taken on February 23, 2015 shows a polar bear robot "Robear" lifting a woman for a demonstration in Nagoya, central Japan. AFP

The “Robear” has a cub-like face with big doey eyes, but packs enough power to transfer frail patients from a wheelchair to a bed or a bath, Japan’s Riken institute said Tuesday.

“The polar cub-like look is aimed at radiating an atmosphere of strength, geniality and cleanliness at the same time,” research leader Toshiharu Mukai told AFP.