How else are Japan's elderly going to keep fit? They can't do something normal like walk around the block or do some sit-ups. They have to have a fuzzy, crazy-looking robot as an exercise instructor.

This freaky thing doesn't look like something to come out of a place called the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, but it did, says Pink Tentacle. It was designed to get the old folks moving in exercise. His name is Taizo, a play on the Japanese word for calisthenics.

Equipped with 26 joints, Taizo is built to demonstrate about 30 exercises for people, and can even understand single commands and requests. The plan is to begin selling and renting out these exuberantly happy robos for about 800,000 yen next year.

I get all of that; what I don't get is why it is fuzzy.