Simroid, a highly realistic dental training robot created in Japan, gained widespread attention when it was first introduced in 2007. Its realism has been enhanced even further in the latest version unveiled in Tokyo recently.
The concept behind Simroid is to mimic a human patient during a dental examination by realistically moving and speaking, including simulating gag reflexes or adverse reactions if touched in a sensitive area accidentally. The training sessions are recorded by two cameras, allowing for evaluation of dental students’ performance after each practice.
Professor Hamura of Nippon Dental University, the creator of Simroid, elaborates:
One of the key enhancements we’ve implemented is speech recognition for the robot. It now responds to spoken commands. Additionally, there are sensors inside and around the mouth to enable the robot to react if any discomfort or pain is sensed. Another upgrade, as evident, pertains to the robot’s skin. Previous versions made of silicone could tear when the robot needed to “open wide.” We’ve utilized a different material that remains durable even under stretching or contact with dental tools.
The latest model is bilingual (English and Japanese), hinting at a potential future release in the US and other regions.
This video, produced by Diginfo TV (available in English), offers a deeper look:
