Showa Hanako 2 – Robotic Patient to Train Dentists

 

Showa University in Tokyo alongside robotics company Tmsuk has developed a robotic patient to help train dentists.  The robot gadget called Showa Hanako 2 replicates typical patient movements and responses alongside being as realistic looking as possible. Just check out that face in the picture and tell me you didn’t think that was a real person.

The idea behind the Showa Hanako 2 is that dental students can practice on the robot before attempting procedures on a real patient. The advantage of this is that students build confidence on techniques alongside experiencing typical reactions of patients.

 

Showa Hanako 2 which as you can guess is an upgrade from Showa Hanako 1 is much more lifelike, user-friendly, and functional compared to its older version. The lifelike look and feel of the skin is due to the silicone skin developed by Orient Industry. The realistic lifelike features help psychologically remind the trainee dentist that they are working on a genuine patient even if they are working on a robot.

Gestures to which Showa Hanako 2 can exhibit are; blinking, sneezing, coughing, head shaking, tongue movements, and rolling of the eyes.  All these movements happen smoothly and naturally much like the human form. One final feature to Showa Hanako 2 is its ability to simulate a gag reflex; this was put in place after reviewing typical patient reactions during dental procedures.

I can imagine this medical gadget being quite expensive to buy later this year when Yoshida Dental Manufacturing make it available to order, however the prices dentists charge these days I am sure they can afford it.

Sockification

 

Ever heard of a robot that does different tasks? Well… that’s old news now, but some scientists were able to teach a robot to pair clean socks together.

The robot when given two socks, examines them and classifies them as ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ and after doing that, flips the sock to make it right, and then pairs them together.

The PR robot – Willow Garage – was taught this trick by a “Sockification” team who won $5000 for this feat.

Ringbo: The Rideable Robot

         

This rideable robotic gadgets will bring a smile to your child’s face, just check out the video below for proof. Aimed at children aged 2-4, it is a transportation gadget controlled simply by two joysticks positioned on the head of the vehicle. The power is provided by a rechargeable battery with up to one hour of driving entertainment before a 6-8 hour charge is required.

Located on the bumber of the Ringbo is Infra Red sensors which aim to prevent little junior from knocking everything over or running over things they should, i.e pets.

The only drawbacks is the 66 pound weight limit so parents that means no you cant have a go of it unless you want to break it, ok?