But prof sharkey is not convinced it wil be a hit with consumers. There is talkof it being an assistant, but it can't lift anything, so it is really a very limited companion, "he said. Japan has a rising elderly population, and the government is keen to use technology to help ease its overburdened healthcare system. But the use of robotic assistants has not always gone well, according to prof sharkey. There is a big fuss when these things are launched in japanese care homes, but go back after a year and they are in a cupboard,"he said.