Robots Instead of Pets: When Autonomous Companions Can Help

Robot pets are devices with artificial intelligence that look like animals (usually cats or dogs, but other options exist too). Today many robot pets are sold to consumers as “pets” or companions.

Special efforts are being made to create ideal robotic companions for elderly people, who could replace pets they have already lost or keep them company in facilities where animals are not allowed. 

True animal lovers will say it's better not to have pets at all than to buy a robot as a new family member. Robot pets are programmed to imitate the actions of a real animal, but we all know it's a fake. 

There is a lot of research on how the bond between a person and an animal affects the person's health. This bond has been proven to play an important role. A person cares for the animal, spoils it with tasty food and hugs, and the animal responds with unconditional love. An elderly person can indeed be given a robotic pet that will take an important place in their life. 

New market

The huge market for robot pets and other social robots (Serv-U-Bots) is still far from fully tapped. Such robots for personal use differ from robots designed to replace people in some production and service sectors. 

Small and portable Serv-U-Bots use many technologies: surveillance cameras, microphones for recording sound, temperature sensors, communication technologies and even autonomous movement. Service bots will be programmed to replace service animals, which are trained to provide mobility and independence to a person. 

Many organizations that provide guide animals have special breeding programs, training centers and large budgets. For example, the Canadian organization “Guide Dogs for the Blind” trains about 23 dogs a year under its training program. 

Such dogs are usually not considered pets. They are service dogs trained to provide assistance. If their current job ends because the person they were helping dies, they usually return to the organization to be placed in a new job. 

Robots as guide animals

Service dogs can indeed be replaced with Serv-U-Bots: social robots programmed to perform service functions. Such robots can warn if toast is burning, a kettle is boiling, or someone is ringing the doorbell. 

In addition, bots can take over the functions of medical dogs, which can detect health problems (seizures or low blood sugar), and warn the user about allergens. If an elderly person loves their pet, a Serv-U-Bot can help care for it: feeding it, checking that it has water, and even cleaning the litter box. 

Social robots can be programmed to help people walk around the city and communicate with other people. The technology can save lives, enrich them, and help people stay mobile. 

Robot pets during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the coronavirus pandemic and periods of self-isolation, elderly people were cut off from their loved ones, so some turned to automated animals for companionship. The New York Times then published a story about 92-year-old Charlene Spengler, who asked her daughter during a video chat for a dog for her birthday. 

Charlene lives in a facility for people with dementia in Oakland, California. Before all visits were canceled due to the pandemic, her daughter took her in a wheelchair to the lake every other day to feed ducks and pet dogs walking by. 

Charlene's daughter, Linda, knew her mother could not care for a real dog, so she began looking for home robot pets, which she had only heard about before. Linda found a fluffy puppy with sensors that let it breathe, bark, wag its tail, and doze off. The user can even hear the puppy's simulated heartbeat. Soon after sending the gift, she learned that Charlene had named the new pet Dumbo. 

A few years ago, similar devices appeared in many American facilities for elderly people. Back in 2009, a Japanese company began selling PARO automated seals, and in 2015 Hasbro created robot cats. 

Several examples

Robotic dogs, cats and other pets from Ageless Innovations are considered indispensable companion robots. Such pets cause no inconvenience. For example, the Tabby Cat robot responds to movement and touch thanks to special sensors. Its fur looks and feels like real fur, and the VibraPurr sounds like a real purr. 

The robotic cat responds to petting, hugs and movement just like a real one, but it doesn't require special care or feeding. If you stroke the robo-cat on its left cheek, it will nuzzle your hand with its nose. If you keep petting it, it will roll onto its back, purr happily and relax more and more. Eventually, Tabby Cat may even close its eyes and nap. 

The FurRealGoGo robot puppy can go for walks with its owner thanks to a remote-controlled leash. The interactive puppy looks alive and behaves accordingly. When the owner starts petting it, the puppy sits down to receive affection. It responds to human voices, and its movements look realistic. 

As a first pet for a child, you can choose one of the following robots: Robot Harry, Top Race, Westminster Chi-Chi Chihuahua, Rollie, Fisca, Contixo R3.