Robotic Pets

What are robotic Pets?

Robotic pets, also known as companion pets, robotic therapy pets, or autonomous robotic companions, are artificially intelligent machines designed to simulate the actions and behaviours of a household pet. There are a variety of robotic pets on the market today. Most common are dogs and cats, but others such as birds, horses and seals are also available. 

What can a robotic pet do?

Depending on the model, robotic pets have a range of features. They are designed to be just like your own fluffy, furry, or feathery pet. For example, robotic dogs can tail wag, bark on command, move their body parts, go for walks, rollover, lean in for pats and even recognise faces. Some have sensors that can detect distance, acceleration, vibration, sound, and pressure2. Others have voice recognition technology and can also locate a coloured toy through an image sensor, walk towards it, kick it or head butt it2.

History of robotic pets

Information technologies are fundamentally changing our modern society. Today, almost any human activity, including caring for your own pet has obtained a new format and purpose. The phenomenon of virtual pets first emerged in the early 1990s. During this time more than 100 different virtual pets appeared in the market, the most popular being Petz, Tamagotchi, Furby, Nintendogs and Neopets7. With over 1 million purchases a year of these virtual pets, the industry and market grew exponentially7. Today, with advancements in artificial intelligence and autonomous technology, virtual pets have evolved into robotic pets. They are not only used for games and personal enjoyment but a new purpose. It is both practical and life-improving for millions of people world-wide7.

The problem?

The World Health Organisation states the global population is rapidly ageing. Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will nearly double, from 12% to 22% 3,6. Mental health and well-being are top priorities in a person's old age as well as any other time in their life. 

Studies consistently demonstrate that older adults who are lonely or socially isolated have higher rates of depression, more health conditions, and greater mortality rates6. In one study, 55% of the age 65+ population reported they regularly experience moderate to severe loneliness. Loneliness leads to depression, sleep problems, hypertension, functional decline, and cognitive impairments6. 

Supporting the aging population is an ongoing task. By combining innovation, collaboration and STEM skills, new treatments such as robotic pets can ensure the aging population is cared for and supported. 

Source: VICE News, HBO

How will robotic pets solve the problem?

Animals are increasingly incorporated into therapeutic settings targeting improved mental and physical health1. As a viable, low cost and non-pharmacological approach to treating mental disorders and ageing side-effects, robotic pets are being marketed as social companions and used in the emerging field of robot-assisted activities2.

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Studies show robotic pets have the power to2,4,5,6,8:

• Improve the quality of life and life satisfaction

• Provide companionship and comfort

• Create a social environment and enhance social skills

• Provide mental therapy

• Improve the mood of individuals

• Lower levels of depression and agitation

• Provide stimulation

• Reduce stress and anxiety

• Spark memories in dementia patients

• Boost willingness to exercise

• Lower blood pressure

• Calm and soothe people

• Promote happiness 

Benefits of robotic pets over real pets

Owning a real-life pet comes with responsibility, complications and hard work. For many people, especially the elderly, this is simply not an option. Robotic pets suite people who have a fixed income, not physically able to tend to the pet and live in facilities where animals are not allowed. 
These advantages of robotic pets allow people to experience the joy of owning a pet without complications.

Robotic pets:​

• Can access more places than real pets such as hospitals and aged care facilities.

• Do not need walks, food, or veterinarian visits.

• Are clean, do not trigger allergies or other health side-effects.

• Pose no risk of injury to people5

Worldwide business of robotic pets

Developing innovative assistive technologies and cutting-edge solutions for people living with dementia and other mental illnesses is a focus amongst government bodies worldwide. Big-name companies such as Sony, Hasbro, Tombot, Samsung and Panasonic are all developing new and innovative robotic pets as demand increases. Over the next decade, it is likely that robotic pets will become not only more computationally sophisticated and capable of action, but also become more affordable2.  

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In 2019, the Australian Government announced $5.3 million in funding to support the development of technologies that would lead to more independent, higher-quality lives, for the aging population9. 

“We need to accelerate innovation and collaboration in our industry to translate ideas into action, resulting in better outcomes for older Australians”. - CEO Sean Rooney - Leading Age Services Australia 2018.

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In the United States of America, the active-aging industry which includes safety and smart-living technologies is expected to triple in the next 3 years, to nearly $30 billion by 20234. 

“We’re in the early innings of what’s going to be a very large market”. Jake Nice – Principal in Nationwide Ventures 2019.

Global Robotic Pet Dog Market 2019-2023, Technavio.com

Meet PARO the robotic seal

PARO is a cuddly therapeutic seal robot, developed by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. Since 2003, PARO is now one of the most studied and recommended robots in aged and mental care facilities worldwide. PARO has five kinds of sensors, artificial intelligence, and can learn to behave in a way the user prefers8.  

Costing around $5000 AUD this robotic seal has been found to:

• Reduce patient and caregiver stress

• Stimulate interaction between patient and caregiver

• Boost patient's psychological health

• Improve socialization of patients8

Citation

1. Gee, N. R., Mueller, M. K., & Curl, A. L. (2017). Human-Animal Interaction and Older Adults: An Overview. Frontiers in psychology, 8, 1416.

2. Melson, G.F., Kahn, P.H., Beck, A.M., & Friedman, B. (2009). Robotic Pets in Human Lives: Implications for the Human-Animal Bond and for Human Relationships with Personified Technologies.

3. Mental health of older adults. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2020, from

4. 22nd Annual U.S. Consumer Technology Ownership and Market Potential Study. (May 2020). Consume Technology Association.

5. Bates, M. (2019). Robotic Pets: A Senior’s Best Friend? IEEE pulse, 10(4), 17-20.

6. Chiberska, D. (2020). The use of robotic animals in dementia care: challenges and ethical dilemmas. Mental Health Practice, 23(1).

7. Bylieva, D., Almazova, N., Lobatyuk, V., & Rubtsova, A. (2019, October). Virtual Pet: Trends of Development. In The 2018 International Conference on Digital Science (pp. 545-554). Springer, Cham.

8. PARO Therapeutic Robot. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2020, from

9. DPS Publishing. (2018, August 7). Funding puts focus on technology for dementia. Retrieved May 18, 2020, from

Source: Sony Aibo