Sign language volunteer inside the pavilion.[Photo/expo2010.cn]

A robot that can act on people's thoughts and dogs that help disabled people will feature at the Life and Sunshine Pavilion from today, the first day of its pavilion week.

The Life and Sunshine Pavilion is the first pavilion especially designed for disadvantaged people during the 159-year history of Expo.

The pavilion calls for more understanding and attention for disadvantaged people through various exhibitions to ensure them a better life in the future.

Its themes are the elimination of discrimination, the alleviation of poverty, a passion for life and a fair society and a better urban life for disadvantaged people.

The week starts this morning on the Citizen Square in the Expo site.

Three types of assistance dogs from Japan: two guide dogs, a hearing dog and two mobility dogs, will show how they help disadvantaged people.

One of the most advanced robots in the world, which can be made to perform tasks according to the brain patterns of disabled people, will also be on display in the pavilion.

Disadvantaged artists will hold various performances to show their talents to visitors.

At the launch ceremony for the pavilion week, pianist Liu Shikun will play piano with Sun Yan, who is a blind musician.

Cao Ziping, director of the pavilion, said the most attractive part of the pavilion would be the experience areas.

Healthy visitors will be able to experience just how difficult it is for disadvantaged people to live a normal life.

Visitors will experience a completely dark zone where they can only perceive the environment by smell, hearing and touch.

They will also be able to experience what it's like to play football if they were blind by using special equipment.

In an "intelligent living" area, high-tech facilities such as an automatic kitchen, an automatic bathroom and a wheelchair that can climb stairs will demonstrate how the lives of disadvantaged people can be made easier.

China has 83 million disabled people, 6.34 percent of the population.