Perhaps the greatest occupational hazard for nurses is back pain-the spinal damage that can result from years of awkward lifting. The RIKEN-TRI Collaboration Center for Human-Interactive Robot Research is developing a solution.

RIBA (Robot for Interactive Body Assistance) is a mechanized nursing-care assistant with formidable strength and precision tactile guidance. It's ideal for lifting patients from bed to wheelchair and back. And it just happens to look like a big, friendly white bear.

The last point is hardly trivial, as patient trust and confidence in a robot may be hard won.

RIBA's skin is soft, making patients comfortable in its welcoming arms. The amiable appearance is important as well: "RIBA is shaped like a teddy bear to put patients at ease and to give a friendly, non threatening appearance."

On the tech side, RIBA works thanks to advanced features like external tactile sensors (operators may start and stop motion with a simple tap on the robot's arm), high rigidity joint structures with high output torque (assuring safety and a large lifting capacity), and a mobile base outfitted with "Omni Wheels" to enable precision movement and high maneuverability within the narrow spaces of hospital rooms.

Additional Information available at RIKEN-TRI.