One of the fields in which robotics really makes sense is healthcare, where Japan is certainly the most productive country. And now we get another healthcare robot, created by a company called Japan Logic Machine.

The venture has developed a healthcare assist robot with a specific purpose: It can move people as heavy as 200kg, for example from their bed to a wheelchair. Dubbed Regina, the robot outperforms existing Japan Logic Machines that have to give up at around 80kg.

The robot is almost ready, with the company hoping to ship the first units to medical institutions in Japan by fall 2010. One Regina robot will cost between $60,000-80,000.

Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]