Paro is a robotic baby seal designed to help people with Alzheimer's. Photo: Lars Nicolaysen/dpa
As populations in many developed countries rapidly age while shortages of care workers loom, healthcare researchers are looking for new technologies that can help caregivers ensure old people in care homes have more rewarding and less stressful daily lives.
Following numerous trials where robot pets have been given to elderly people, a major new study has found these so-called "robopets" may be a reliable way to help reduce levels of loneliness among old people in residential care.