Paro is a robotic seal designed to offer therapy to people in a hospital or long-term care. Its soft, antibacterial fur hides a frame that can move its body; dual computer processors and sensors allow Paro to respond to light, touch, sound, and temperature.

Paro can learn, and it will repeat actions that are rewarded by petting and avoid actions that lead to an admonishing tap. Paro was first developed at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Tsukuba, Japan, where researchers found that Paro can improve the mood of elderly people living in nursing homes. The robot can be leased in the U.S. for $200 a month.

Credit: Technology Review