Abstract
Abstract: Animal therapy is recognized as effective against improving the mental illness. This research proposes 'a deformed and short-legged bipedal walking-type bear' through a series of relevant studies conducted by the collaborators, and proves its therapeutic effects by a questionnaire survey performed in relation to the robot's prototype. However, there has been a lot of feedback in terms of its uncomfortable feeling of touch and excessive weight. Therefore, the objective of the project is set to develop a new- generation robot that improves on all these suggested points. We take a look at the technical side of the material used for the robot's body. It was reviewed and changed to Japanese cypress, from the previous material of aluminum alloy. Japanese cypress is lightweight, with its specific gravity of 1/5, and the aroma components it emanates can be expected to provide such positive effects as relaxation, sterilization and mite control.
