Japan, Nov 22, 2008 - The Danish Technological Institute will introduce therapeutic robotic seals developed in Japan at about 40 welfare facilities for the aged in Denmark by the end of this year, the DTI said.

This will be the first full-scale introduction of robot therapy overseas using Japanese high technology.

The institute said it planned to expand use of the Paro robots to about 500 locations by 2010.

The manufacture and marketing of the Paro, which was developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), was launched in 2005.

So far, about 1,000 Paro robots have been produced. Individual consumers have purchased the robot as a pet, while homes for elderly people have introduced the robot for therapeutic purposes.

Western countries widely practice animal-assisted therapy for elderly people suffering dementia.

The DTI also began experiments last year to determine whether the Paro offers similar effects.

After learning that patients with dementia feel comfortable and show expressive faces when they are with the Paro, the DTI decided to introduce the robot in Denmark.

The DTI and the AIST plan to jointly study effective therapy modality using Paro, and collect data expected to be useful in care of the elderly.