アザラシ型ロボットのパロ、米国で発売へ

　アザラシ型メンタルコミットロボット「パロ」が米国で本格的に発売されるという。今日、ジェトロ（日本貿易振興機構）のシカゴ事務所から来週の記者会見の案内が届いた。ジェトロ･シカゴの協力で、パロの米国における販売代理店が決まったようだ。具体的な社名は、来週、ピッツバーグで開かれるRoboBusiness Conferenceで発表になる。

　以下、記者会見の案内メールの一部をコピーする。

April 9 Press Conference at RoboBusiness in Pittsburgh to announce major
sales/distribution agreement for "Paro" service robot in the United States

What: A press conference has been scheduled at the RoboBusiness Conference &
Expo 2008 in Pittsburgh, to announce an agreement for the sales and
distribution of the Japanese "Paro" therapy robot in the United States. The
Paro robots will be available for examination, demonstration and photographs
at the press conference.

When: Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 12:00 p.m.

Where: Press Area, RoboBusiness Conference & Expo 2008, David L. Lawrence
Convention Center, Hall C, 1000 Ft. Duquesne Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15222


Background: "Paro" is an advanced robot modeled after a baby harp seal, used
to provide the benefits of animal therapy for those who cannot take care of
real animals and those who live in places where live animals are prohibited,
including hospitals, elder care centers and nursing homes.

Paro's inventor, Takanori Shibata, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, of
Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology,
will be on hand to make the announcement, and to introduce the new U.S.
company for sales and distribution. Representatives of the Japan External
Trade Organization (JETRO) will also be present. JETRO assisted in the
development of the sales and distribution efforts in the United States．