Japanese robotic bear to assist in suicide

The rate of suicides committed in Japan has increased drastically. The number of senior population is also growing.

Japan society for dying with dignity along with the Orient Industry Company have made a robotic bear to assist in suicide.

That is to help people unable to kill themselves because of their psychological or physical disabilities.

The Center for Human-Interactive Robotics Research in the Bunkyo Ward of Tokyo has designed an assisted suicide support robot with the face of an innocent, loveable cartoon-like bear to aid patients in self-euthanasia named SeppuKuma.

SeppuKuma, that can be interpreted as "Suicide Bear" has robotic arms that are able to carry up to 80kg of weight, hands that are powerful enough to crush human bones, and roller legs that can retract or extend from a base as necessary when bending to pick someone up out of bed or when maneuvering through tight spaces like doorways.

The robot weighs 140kg and is powered by specially designed software actuators. SeppuKuma also offers 23 very different methods one can choose to end their life, including Everlasting Sleep (lethal injection), Pillow Kisses (suffocation), Peaceful Breath (helium asphyxia) and Sleepy time Hug which is where the robotic bear strangles its partner until their pulse stops for 15 minutes.

Thus, Japanese patients are provided with the possibility to choose the most preferable way of ending their life.

Also read: How suicides are prevented in Brazil. Shocking video