Tokyo, Oct. 7 (Jiji Press)–Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. has unveiled a prototype of a dog-shaped social robot that helps elderly people’s life at home. Leveraging physical artificial intelligence, the robot, Home Leo, can talk to people, recognize its surroundings, make appropriate decisions according to the situation and act autonomously, according to the Japanese company. Home Leo was shown at a business briefing the company held in Tokyo on Tuesday. The robot will stay close to elderly people it lives with, offering companionship through conversation, watching them over and assisting with their daily activities, Kawasaki Heavy said. By continuously collecting data on users’ personal preferences and daily life, including food, clothing and housing, Home Leo will be able to have conversations that suit respective users, the firm said. Aiming to launch Home Leo in fiscal 2028, the company is poised to continue improving the robot while working with the health and industry ministries, local governments, medical and nursing care facilities, and AI technology companies. Kawasaki Heavy plans to equip Home Leo with a function to inform family members or nursing care professionals if it notices something unusual about users, such as falls, changes in health condition and fire hazards left unattended. The company said it hopes to help elderly people receive appropriate support and extend the period during which they can live safely and securely in familiar surroundings, by sharing data and coordinating with medical institutions, nursing care facilities and other relevant organizations through Home Leo as needed. Participants at the business briefing saw how the robot works. Kawasaki Heavy President Yasuhiko Hashimoto asked Home Leo, “Where did I leave my smartphone?” Home Leo replied, “It’s on the table, so I’ll go and get it,” and actually picked it up. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
