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AIST / PARO Robots logoAIST / PARO Robots

Paro

8th generation

Price
USD 6,000
Type
Other
Applications
Household · Companion / Healthcare & Elderly Care · Elderly Care / Healthcare & Elderly Care · Medical Assistance
Status
Commercial
Availability
On sale
Purchase
Contact manufacturer
Release Date
2004
Country/Region
Japan
Last Verified
2026-08-14
1.5 h
Runtime
2.7 kg
Weight
Approx. 0.16 m
Height

PARO is an interactive therapeutic baby harp seal robot developed by Japan's AIST for hospitals and nursing homes. It senses touch, light, sound, temperature and posture, learns user preferences, moves its head and flippers, and produces seal-like sounds. Its white antibacterial fur and autonomous interaction are designed for care settings.

1 / 1Paro

Capability Map

InteractionOfficial claim
Speech interaction
InteractionDeployed
Human collaboration

Hardware Specification

Physical Specifications

Color
Off-white
Materials
Soft white antibacterial artificial fur

Mechanical and mounting

Height
Approx. 0.16 m
Length
57 cm
Weight
2.7 kg

Sensors

Attitude Sensor
Posture sensor detects when PARO is held or lifted
Audio Sensor
Audio sensor recognizes voice direction, its name, greetings and praise
Lighting (sensing)
Light sensor recognizes light and dark
Sensors
Tactile, light, audition, temperature and posture sensors
Tactile Sensor
Tactile sensors detect stroking; whiskers respond to touch

Battery and Runtime

Battery Type
Nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery
Runtime
1.5 h

Compute Platform

CPU
32-bit RISC
Processor
Dual 32-bit RISC processors

Interaction and Communication

Microphone
3
Sound Localization
Recognizes the direction of voice
Voice Interaction
Recognizes its name, greetings and praise; imitates a baby harp seal voice

Development and Expansion

Operating Modes
Fully autonomous with morning, daytime and night rhythm

Commercial Information

Price
$6,000 USD
Warranty
One-year service warranty

Commercial Status

Status
Commercial
Price
USD 6,000
Release Date
2004

Deployment records

Progress, changes and sources from real-world projects.

Project source ↗
Pilot
Partner
CW+ · Operator
Scenario
Elderly Care
Primary task
Provide interactive companionship and distraction for hospital patients
Location
Undisclosed
Started
Undisclosed
Last verified
2026-10-09

Deployment timeline · 1

  1. PARO joins the patient-engagement team after a pilot
As of the verified evidence; this is not live operating status.2026-10-09

Timeline

  1. Robot release
    Paro
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