The future is officially nuts. It’s getting to a point where stuff like this probably won’t shock you anymore. It should. Be shocked. These robo-seals, called ‘Paro’, not only bring comfort to recovering Japanese tsunami patients, they also sing, clap, and even take part in the residents daily exercise routines.

The robotics division of Japanese company, Daiwa House, donated the ‘creatures’ to the Suisyoen retirement home. Apparently the residents have taken to the animals amazingly well, almost as if they were real pets.

Taku Katoono, Suisyoen’s general manager explains:

First of all it’s necessary to have a live animal to raise for animal therapy. That, however, is rather difficult in certain situations and so in this case we use a doll – albeit a robotic one – as an alternative method to help them recover.

The only thing that sucks about owning an electric pet is the recharge issue. Take these seals for instance, you only get one- and-a-half hours of robo-happiness before you have to plug him in.

I almost said welcome to the age of battery-operated love, but ja. No.

[Source: skynews]