# Nurse Robots RIBA Assists and Interacts with Humans By Rose Nazarali | Published 2009-08-28 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nursing-robots-riba References: [dvice](http://dvice.com/archives/2009/08/riba-robo-bear.php) & [robot.watch.impress.co.jp](http://robot.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20090828_311384.html) The RIBA robot, which stands for “Robot for Interactive Body Assistance,” is ready to take over for human nurses in hospitals. Designed by Japan's [Institute of Physical and Chemical Research](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carbon-14-nuclear-battery) and Tokai Rubber Industries, RIBA is mostly meant to assist with patients who are unable to walk. The [nurse robot](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyodol-doll) has [soft foam skin](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/owlbear) to make human interactions comfortable for patients and the cute bear-like appearance will create a calming effect. **Implications** - And who wouldn't want to say they were medically treated by a robot bear at least once in their life time? Especially one as friendly looking as this RIBA robot. It's practically a cartoon character. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 57% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Robot-assisted Healthcare:** Implementing nurse robots like RIBA can revolutionize healthcare by providing assistance and support to patients, especially those who are unable to walk. - **Soft-skin Technology:** The use of soft foam skin in nurse robots improves patient comfort and the likelihood of accepting robotic assistance. - **Calm-inducing Design:** Designing nurse robots with a cute and friendly appearance, like RIBA, can help create a calming effect and reduce patient anxiety. ### Who This Affects Most - **Healthcare:** Integrating nurse robots into the healthcare industry can enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and address the growing demand for healthcare services. - **Robotics:** The implementation of nurse robots like RIBA presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the robotics industry, particularly in the development of advanced human-robot interaction capabilities. - **Medical Devices:** The use of nurse robots in medical settings opens up new avenues for the medical devices industry, creating potential for the design and production of specialized robotic healthcare solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Healthcare Assistant Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/healthcare-assistant-robot.md) - [Interactive Companion Care-Bots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourier-g3.md) - [AI-Based Children Companions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robin-the-robot.md) - [Friendly Robotic Wheelchair Caregivers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wheelchair-robot-concept.md) - [Senior Care Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aiden.md) - [Expressive Home Assistance Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oppo-xiaobu.md) - [Bionic Panda Cubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anan-bionic-panda-cub.md) - [Elderly Care Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aeo.md) - [Robotic Personal Lifts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/niko.md)