A new chair has been created by a company in Japan with the goal of giving you a hug whenever you need one.
UniCare introduced its invention, the "tranquility chair," at the International Home Care and Rehabilitation Exhibition in Tokyo as an "anti-loneliness" creation, according to Yahoo! News. The chair appears as a huge fabric doll with long arms that wrap around you to make you feel happy and comfortable.
"It makes you feel safe. Anyone can use it, but it is designed for older people," said a UniCare spokesperson.
Older people may find the hugging chair to be very useful, as there are currently more seniors in Japan living on their own, Phys.org reported.
People over the age of 65 make up close to a quarter of Japan's population, and the country expects that amount to increase to 40 percent in the next few decades. UniCare also made a version for wheelchair users.
Those interested in getting the tranquility chair will have to fork over 46,000 yen ($419).
The hugging chair is among the many inventions that were on display at the expo, such as the "Life Rhythm Doll," which gives its user a reminder to take his/her medicine and go to the toilet, Yahoo! News reported.
Baby seal robots going by the name "Paro" also made an appearance at the event. Japanese automation firm AIST has so far created 3,000 of the electronic sea cubs, which were designed for people whose apartment rules don't allow them to have live pets, according to Phys.org.
"Real animals can scratch and poo, but this one won't," a person who demonstrated the Paro said.
