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Creepy Japanese Robot Simulates Swine Flu

by Amar Toor on October 24, 2009 at 03:45 PM

Most people do anything they can to prevent viruses from infecting their high-tech toys. One group of Japanese scientists, though, have created a robot that actually embraces an especially virulent (and topical) strain: Swine Flu.

The robot , unveiled at the recent Security and Safety Trade Expo (RISCON) in Tokyo as part of a series of flu-prevention devices, is designed to exhibit symptoms of sweating, moaning, and convulsing that are typical of patients infected with the H1N1 virus. If not properly treated, the symptoms deteriorate, and, dramatically, the cyborg stops breathing. The humanoid, according to scientists, aims to assist doctors and medical professionals in their treatment of and education about a virus that, as of October 11, had already led to 4,735 deaths worldwide, as well as around 400,000 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization.

Based on the images and video (below) we've seen, the most striking thing about this Swine Bot is its realism. Convulsions and cadaver-like things (and especially convulsing cadavers) make us squirm already, but there's something particularly creepy about a robot that imitates such hard-to-watch human behavior. But if it'll help doctors save lives, we're all for it. [From: The Press Association; via Pink Tentacle]

Tags: creepy, h1n1, health, japan, research, robot, swine flu, SwineFlu, top

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