Would you buy a robot pet? For many people, especially during social isolation, the answer is increasingly becoming a yes. While it may seem unconventional, robot pets boast a variety of advantages, and are quickly becoming more advanced and available. 

For one, robot pets are much easier to take care of and maintain than live animals, especially for young children and seniors. Unless programmed to do so (as some models are to teach children responsibility), robots don’t get hungry, tired, or sick. In fact, modern robo-pets require very little maintenance, and can even take care of themselves by returning to their charges and running self-diagnostics. For people with busy lives, this can be the perfect way to experience the joys of pet parenthood without having to worry about taking care of another living being. 

In addition to being nearly self-sufficient, robot pets also have a wide degree of functionalities, and almost endless potential for customization. Robot pets come in all shapes, sizes, and varieties, from conventional options like mechanized cats and dogs to whirring pillows and baby seals. They can be programmed to display certain behavior patterns that an owner prefers, like remaining “puppies” forever. But are they any substitute for the real thing?

Of course, a robotic dog will never be able to replace a real, live pet. Interestingly enough, though, people actually do get attached to their mechanical friends, and exhibit many of the same reactions they would towards a “normal” pet. Children, for example, recognize that robot pets are not “alive” but still care for them and are able to develop bonds. 

The technology behind robo-pets is actually quite fascinating as well. Making a robotic dog, for example, is a lot more challenging than it may seem, especially when it comes to mimicking realistic movements and behaviors. One brilliant technique that researchers used was applying machine learning and AI to the recorded behaviors of live animals, allowing robots to copy them more effectively. This strategy is far more efficient than having coders program each action themselves, and creates a much more realistic end product. 

Robot pets have another use that you may not have considered; fighting feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially for seniors. Even pre-pandemic, loneliness and a sense of disconnectedness was a top problem for seniors in hospitals and nursing homes – and one that proved difficult to tackle. While robo-pets aren’t a perfect solution, they can go a long way towards alleviating this pressure, at least partially. Especially during the pandemic, socially isolated seniors are enjoying the option of artificial pet ownership as a way of distracting themselves and feeling connected.

So what does all this mean for the future of robot pets? Although the technology is advancing rapidly, it’s hard to see a point where robo-pets replace their living counterparts. However, they have already proved to be a great option for those with busy schedules or limited capacity to care for pets, and for those suffering from loneliness and isolation. While they are costly now, new technologies and design improvements may soon make widespread robo-pet ownership a reality.