I may chat about my books, what I'm writing or reading, or just general thoughts. You may read posts about my cats or just my crazy life in general. Comments are welcome, if anyone wants to interact with me. Maybe we can share war stories, whether it's writing related or just about life in general.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Robotic Dogs

The Aibo robotic dog by Sony

Okay, now this belongs in the strange news category in my opinion.  Unbelievably, I heard this news story a few days ago.  They are expecting robotic dogs to replace real ones in the future, especially in dense urban areas.  Right now, supposedly 37 percent of households in the US have dogs while 30 percent have cats.  There’s also an overlap where people have both cats and dogs and the estimate is that half the population keep pets.

A study in the Frontiers of Veterinary Science predicts that by 2050 it will be impossible for people living in densely populated areas to have pets due to enough room for people and their beloved pets.  I can see how large dogs would be an issue over the smaller ones if housing areas will be smaller and perhaps with no yards.  I don’t see cats as being an issue because they don’t require much space and can use litter boxes.  Maybe dogs can be trained to use a litter box. 

The study says that people care for their robotic dogs but treat them more like the characters in a video game and use them for entertainment, something you wouldn’t do with a real dog.  People feel less responsibility for robotic or virtual pets, thus requiring them to be repaired at times.  Apparently, a robotic animal can also die of neglect and mistreatment, especially since Sony closed its last Aibo robotic repair clinic a few years ago.  (Sony invented the robotic dog.)  So people in Japan who own the robotic dogs even hold funerals for them.  Yes, you heard that right.

I think the lack of spaces to walk dogs and let them have exercise will be limited in the future, but I think the timeline might be a bit further away than the predicted 2050.

What do you think about all this?  If space becomes an issue, would you have a robotic pet in place of a real one?  What good are they really, other then there are no food and vet bills?

8 comments:

  1. I remember when the kids were younger they had those "pets" that were electronic in a game and I remember feeding them and taking care of them when the kids were in school; didn't really care for the concept so I can't imagine a robotic pet. I don't think you can develop a relationship with robotics and as you know, having a pet is part of having a relationship with them and them with you. I can see people looking elsewhere for that type of relationship, I just don't think you can get it technology wise. Having lived close to downtown San Diego, it was amazing the people who had dogs there that lived in high rise buildings and would take their dogs out for walks on city streets. I can't see myself doing that to a dog, thinking they do need a bit of space in a backyard if possible to call their own.

    Interesting concept; I just don't see it working.

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Betty,

      I don't see it working either. As you said, how can you have a relationship with a robot?

      Thanks for leaving a comment.

      Sunni

      Delete
  2. Considering all the things that previous generations said would never work...

    I don't know. It seems rather silly. The point of a pet is the personality of the pet, the companionship aspect. If they can make robot companions... Well, it would make for an interesting story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz,

      It does make you wonder if they'll invent a robot with a personality sometime in the future.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Sunni

      Delete
  3. I can't picture that. I mean, where will the real dogs go? Dogs give birth to puppies all the time. Some people may prefer a robotic dog, but real dog lovers won't.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys,

      I agree with you and wonder where the real dogs will go too. Things may be a lot different fifty or a hundred years from now.

      Thanks for reading.

      Sunni
      http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/

      Delete
  4. A robot could never replace my cat. I think that's new technology gone a pawprint too far!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi PL,

      I agree. I want the real deal in my house and life.

      Thanks for reading and leaving comment.

      Sunni

      Delete

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Sunni