Effective application of paro: Seal type robots for disabled people in according to ideas of occupational therapists

Abstract

Paro is an autonomous seal type robot for those who cannot take care of real animals and those who live in places where pet-animals are forbidden. This paper describes effective application for disabled people of Paro in according to idea of Occupational Therapists. OTs thought that Paro is an effective tool on occupational therapy but OTs should consider clients' characters, situations. We think OTs should have skills to introduce activities to clients proficiently, to explain Paro's attractive points skillfully, to keep clients' interest for activities. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.