A robot which can mimic the movements of a human and assist the physically disabled was developed by researchers at Waseda University in Tokyo.

TWENDY-ONE stands 152cm (5-ft) tall and has been in development for over seven years as a solution to work alongside humans and to assist with the nursing shortage in the medical field. The talking robot is also able to understand verbal commands, carry around trays, pick up small and delicate items without smashing them, handle utensils, and is able to assist or lift a physically disabled people out of bed.

The video below shows the robot picking up a straw and then handling it very gently.

The impressive part of TWENDY-ONE is its graceful movement and balance, part of which is due to the 241 pressure sensors in its hand.  The plan is for it to hit the market for practical use in 2015 at a cost of around 10 million yen.

Meanwhile, a nurse support robot which was developed by Keio University is being tested at the Kyoto Red Cross Hospital in Kamigyo Ward in Kyoto.  The robot is able to move around automatically while recognizing and avoiding obstacles.  The plan is to put this particular robot into practical use by 2011.