Japan Firms Unveil Prototype Of Robots That Can Babysit in Car

A prototype model of two robots that assist with babysitting in moving vehicles was recently unveiled by Nissan Motor Co. and baby product shop operator Akachan Honpo Co., reported Yuhi Sugiyama for Mainichi Japan.

The stuffed toy-shaped robot "Iruyo" comforts the baby in the back seat on behalf of the parent in the driver's seat and tells the parent whether the baby is asleep or awake. I Photo: Nissan

The stuffed toy-shaped robot "Iruyo" comforts the baby in the back seat on behalf of the parent in the driver's seat and tells the parent whether the baby is asleep or awake.

When driving a car with an infant, it is recommended that the child car seat be installed rearward-facing for safety reasons, but it is difficult to see the baby's face and condition from the driver's seat.

The two companies conducted a survey of 1,100 parents with children aged 1 year and 6 months or younger and found that more than 60% of the parents said they drive alone at least one to two days a week with their child.

The most common concerns included "not being able to comfort the baby when they cry while driving" and "feeling uneasy about not being able to monitor the baby's condition in the rear-facing seat."

The newly developed Iruyo robots will be installed with one facing the baby in the back seat and the other near the driver's seat. When the driver says "Iruyo" (I'm here), "Inai-inai ba" (peekaboo), and two other phrases to the nearby robot, the other one will wave its hands and make other movements to soothe the baby.

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