Posted in October 2009

RIBA Robot for Interactive Body Assistance

Posted on 9 October, 2009

Researchers at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) and Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd. (TRI) have developed a new robot designed to assist nursing care workers by safely lifting and carrying patients to and from their beds and wheelchairs.

Named "RIBA" (Robot for Interactive Body Assistance), the 140 centimeter tall, 180 kilogram robot incorporates the latest in sensor, control, information processing and mechanical technology developed at RIKEN, as well as cutting-edge materials technology developed at TRI.

Using multi-jointed human-like arms equipped with high-precision tactile sensors, RIBA can safely lift and move patients weighing up to 61 kilograms. The entire body of the robot, whose teddy bear-like appearance is designed to put patients at ease, is covered in a soft urethane foam, ensuring a high degree of safety and comfort when transferring patients.

With the ability to recognize and respond to the voice and face of its human operator, RIBA is relatively easy to control. Omni-directional wheels allow the robot to navigate tight spaces inside nursing care facilities and hospitals.

The development of RIBA, which marks a critical step toward tackling the problems of an aging society, is part of RIKEN's larger strategy to pursue advances in robot technology for care-giving support.

Left:
RIBA's teddy bear-like appearance is designed to put patients at ease.

Right:
RIBA can lift and carry patients weighing up to 61 kilograms.

Links:
- Realization of Transfer Operations by Nursing-care Assistant Robot "RIBA" (PDF) [RIKEN/TRI press release]