Guangzhou uses robot to help drug addicts recover

Cybernetic confidant: The Tianche No. E robot has the curious advantage of being easier for recovering addicts to talk to, hugely streamlining the rehab counselling process. —China Daily/Asia News Network

GUANGZHOU: The southern Chinese city of Guangzhou has employed a talking robot to aid the rehabilitation of substance users through the use of human-machine counselling.

While robots elsewhere are made to blur the line between humans and machines, the robot in the capital of Guangdong province boasts a special appeal to addicts who find it embarrassing to talk to human community workers.