This picture taken on February 23, 2015 shows a polar bear robot “Robear” lifting a woman for a demonstration in Nagoya, central Japan. To just maintain the size of its current population, Japan would have to let in more than half a million immigrants a year, but the country is one of the most immigration-resistant nations. But the government is still seeking to keep the brakes on nurses and orderlies from abroad, with robots. There is Robear, a bear-like nursing robot touted to be gentle, yet strong enough to lift an elderly person. Moreover, Mr. Hirukawa identifies a widespread cultural resistance to using machines as the biggest challenge, despite Japan’s higher-than-average comfort level with robots.

Source: The Hindu February 24, 2018 14:15 UTC