Blog

A Japanese dental school and robotics company have joined forces to develop a new robot, which mimics the behaviours of children. The robot is designed to help trainee dentists and medics to learn how to deal with children who display critical symptoms.

The Pedia_Roid robot, which was produced by Tmsuk in partnership with Showa University’s Department of Orthodontics, can be programmed to replicate a range of responses, behaviours and symptoms. The robot will help to plug gaps in training for dentists and doctors. Developers created Pedia_Roid to enable students and professionals to hone their skills and learn to manage critical symptoms. It can be difficult for trainees to gain practical experience in this field, according to the team behind the innovative project.

The robot is programmed using a tablet and can display a diverse range of symptoms and actions, including vomiting, crying, fitting, uncontrolled body movements, such as flapping the arms, changes in facial expressions and colouring, expressing pain and breathing difficulties. The teeth can also be removed and replaced individually.

The Pedia_Roid robot weighs 23kg and is 110cm tall and is designed to represent a child aged around 5 to 6-years-old. The robot costs 25 million yen, which is equivalent to £150,000.

Tokyo-based Tmsuk teamed up with the dental school at Showa University in the hope of filling a gap in the education programme. There are limited opportunities for trainees in the fields of dentistry and medicine to gain real-world experience. The robot has been developed with capabilities to mimic many critical clinical symptoms, allowing trainees to master treatment techniques and skills that will undoubtedly come in useful when they start working with children in hospitals, dental and healthcare practices and other clinical settings.

The Pedia_Roid robot is made from silicon and it is controlled by using a tablet to stimulate different responses and movements.