H1N1 Robot Unveilled in Japan

Japan, home to cyborgs and robots that work or play, is host this week to a human-like simulator with H1N1 flu symptoms.

At the Security and Safety Trade Expo in Tokyo, the METIman offers medical staff hands on practice in dealing with the deadly pandemic.

Exhibiting convulsions, sweats and even tears, the simulator is manufactured by U.S. firm METI and distributed in Japan by the IMI Company, for use by medical personnel.

[Kazutaka Yoshikawa, Education Team, IMI Co.]:
"We expect a shortage of medical staff if we see an outbreak in Japan in the future so this simulator allows all medical staff, who are not used to being around emergency situation, to practice in preparation for an actual pandemic.

As with H1N1, which claimed its first life in Japan in August and has exceeded 5,000 cases in the country, the patient will become increasingly ill unless proper treatment is administered or its breathing will stop.

Overall, the global flu outbreak, which was declared a pandemic in June, could eventually affect 2 billion people, according to the World Health Organization.

The virus has killed over 800 people worldwide since emerging in April and healthcare staff around the globe are bracing for a second wave of cases from this fall.