![Robot carers for the elderly are now a reality in Japan. But do we want them here? | The Sunday Times Magazine | The Sunday Times Robot carers for the elderly are now a reality in Japan. But do we want them here? | The Sunday Times Magazine | The Sunday Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Fsundaytimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F6afb7530-f8b1-11e8-9a07-72ebead02362.jpg?crop=6200%2C4133%2C0%2C0)
Robot carers for the elderly are now a reality in Japan. But do we want them here? | The Sunday Times Magazine | The Sunday Times
![A furry robotic seal called "Palo" is pictured at the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo November 28, 2007. The robot seal, which can learn its name and react to touch, is designed A furry robotic seal called "Palo" is pictured at the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo November 28, 2007. The robot seal, which can learn its name and react to touch, is designed](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D1W569/a-furry-robotic-seal-called-palo-is-pictured-at-the-international-robot-exhibition-in-tokyo-november-28-2007-the-robot-seal-which-can-learn-its-name-and-react-to-touch-is-designed-to-help-elderly-people-avoid-loneliness-and-develop-connections-with-others-by-interacting-and-talking-to-the-robot-reutersmichael-caronna-japan-2D1W569.jpg)
A furry robotic seal called "Palo" is pictured at the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo November 28, 2007. The robot seal, which can learn its name and react to touch, is designed
![A therapeutic robot named Paro reacts to an elderly user's hand at the Suisyoen retirement home, about 30 km (19 miles) south of the tsunami-crippled nuclear plant in Iwaki, Fukushima prefecture, July A therapeutic robot named Paro reacts to an elderly user's hand at the Suisyoen retirement home, about 30 km (19 miles) south of the tsunami-crippled nuclear plant in Iwaki, Fukushima prefecture, July](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2E5Y126/a-therapeutic-robot-named-paro-reacts-to-an-elderly-users-hand-at-the-suisyoen-retirement-home-about-30-km-19-miles-south-of-the-tsunami-crippled-nuclear-plant-in-iwaki-fukushima-prefecture-july-28-2011-for-some-elderly-survivors-of-japans-march-earthquake-and-tsunami-comfort-comes-in-the-form-of-a-small-white-robotic-seal-named-paro-the-residents-of-the-nursing-home-came-back-from-a-nearly-two-month-long-evacuation-since-the-nuclear-crisis-in-fukushima-picture-taken-july-28-2011-to-match-reuters-life!-robot-seal-reuterskim-kyung-hoon-japan-tags-society-energy-sci-tech-2E5Y126.jpg)
A therapeutic robot named Paro reacts to an elderly user's hand at the Suisyoen retirement home, about 30 km (19 miles) south of the tsunami-crippled nuclear plant in Iwaki, Fukushima prefecture, July
![Paro from 'Master of None' is REAL: Adorable robotic seal offers comfort and cuddles for dementia patients - Mirror Online Paro from 'Master of None' is REAL: Adorable robotic seal offers comfort and cuddles for dementia patients - Mirror Online](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article7138274.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200c/File_000-3jpeg.jpg)