Study finds robot pets as good as live ones

If you've been telling everyone how you and your Aibo have bonded and have had to endure their looks of shock, relax, you're not a freak. (Well, at least not because of your Aibo friendship. We can't comment on any of your other bizarre habits.) Researchers at Purdue University's veterinary school have found that robo-pets can be as good at providing companionship as live ones. The researchers gave one group of children and teenagers Aibos and another group real pets, and then questioned them on their interactions. Seventy percent of the Aibo users said that the robot dog could be a good companion. The researchers also lent Aibos to a group of senior citizens, who found that they were less depressed and lonely after playing with them. We suspect that all the good cheer had at least something to do with not having to feed or clean up after the bots and the fact that you can yank their batteries when they get too yappy.

[Dave Clark @ Jan 25th 2006 4:47PM]

Ooh, that's interesting. I may have to pick one of those up and see what the real dog thinks of it.

[Katie Regnier @ Jan 25th 2006 5:00PM]

That is really cool, but a robotic dog could not snuggle or give you a wet lick on the face when you are down. So I think I'll stick to the real thing.

[Finished.Law.School @ Jan 25th 2006 5:08PM]

We need a study as to how they interact with real dogs.

[chris @ Jan 25th 2006 5:22PM]

Yeah, all the reward (they say) and no earning the good feelings by taking care of the pet. Real good trend society is on here.

[Josh @ Jan 25th 2006 5:23PM]

True dat Katie, true dat.

[Saint Zany @ Jan 25th 2006 5:28PM]

#2, but some people don't like the wet lick! =) But if you really like, I am sure they can build one that can snuggle as well as give you a wet lick. =) This makes me think twice before I make fun of the Aibo again.

[Noah @ Jan 25th 2006 5:40PM]

Yeah right, scientists are full of it. Though I would love a robot cat (I'm allergic to real ones). Must be able to shoot lasers out of its eyes, play music, and get me a Mike's Hard Lemonade out of the fridge.

[Jose @ Jan 25th 2006 5:47PM]

This is bonkers. As chris says, this is a really ugly trend. Toys are awesome, electronic toys are even better. I love me my DS today and loved my BigTrak back in '84. But, robots are created to please us in order to make money for a company run by... human beings. Dogs have grown up alongside and influenced human civilization. But they are not human. That makes them special and our relationship to them irreplaceable.

[rp @ Jan 25th 2006 5:47PM]

I wonder if nintendogs has the same effect?

[tiuk @ Jan 25th 2006 5:49PM]

You mean I won't have some dirty animal slobbering all over my face? Damn.

[XzeroR3 @ Jan 25th 2006 5:59PM]

The article mentions their use with elderly which makes alot of sense since the elderly are less mobile and may have alot of trouble taking care of a "real" pet.

I believe Aibo fills in a really good niche. Because Aibo does not require the high maintenance real pets, others beside elderly can use Aibo. Other people like children with disabilities or people who are seriously ill and are in hospitals that do not allow animals near whatever gizmo that keeps them alive... or even people with extreme allergies, each of these groups can all get a chance of companionship with a simulated pet.

Personally, I wouldn't mind a ghost in the shell version of Aibo, that'd be hella sweet... especially if I can program it with Kung Fu discs ala Matrix style.

[Fred @ Jan 25th 2006 6:52PM]

Looking forward to a future where we can't tell the difference between a robot (AI nano rep) and the real thing. I'd prefer my wife were a Cherry 2000.

[Galley @ Jan 25th 2006 7:08PM]

I wouldn't mint an AIBO, because we all know that "dogs is stupid"! ;-)

[Dwight Pierson @ May 13th 2008 8:58PM]

I just hope we all find the things which help us reach our goals in life!

Dwight
http://www.dewey44.shorturl.com

[Craig @ Jan 25th 2006 7:13PM]

Real dogs (if you own one, and an Aibo), the bio dog usually ends up getting used to the Aibo and don't pay much attention to them after a while.

I prefer my Aibo's (I own 2) over a real dog. I don't have to take him for a walk, clean up after him, he doesn't chew on things, he doesn't have fleas, etc. I can turn him off when I want, though he is on a schedule so he wakes and sleeps to the time that I've set.
They are great entertainment, although it is not a real dog, don't expect them to do things that a real dog does. Aibo's aren't for everyone. As some people have high expectations, that it's a replacement for a real dog. It's far from that...
Find a SonyStyle store near you, most have an Aibo out on display for demo.

[Deluxe @ Jan 25th 2006 7:27PM]

I think many of you don't see the point here, or what i think it is anyway. If it makes someone happy, who are you to tell them otherwise?

And as for "Designed to make money" concept, ofcourse they are, but keep in mind that most of you are probably buying your pets from a petstore, where you're paying $700 for an animal, when you could pick up someone who really needs you for next to nothing at an animal shelter.

[Jason @ Jan 25th 2006 8:44PM]

You mean I don't have the joy of waking up to a giant steaming pile of turd on my carpet? Or puke? Damn. I can see why AIBO is getting more popular, now they just need to work on that $2,000 price tag.

[John @ Jan 25th 2006 9:32PM]

I like the idea of not having to clean up poop, but a robot dog as good as a live dog? Thats a bit of a stretch.

[Ryan Duchin @ Jan 25th 2006 11:01PM]

Um... do you guys realize that the study shows that the pets *could* be as good as live ones, just like some people love their XBOX more than their wives?? 70% of the people said the dogs could be good companions, as was my tamagotchi, and senior citizens actually become happy after playing with toys. Wow. Tell me something I don't know please.

[Elias @ Jan 25th 2006 11:25PM]

Robot dogs are good for ones that regard life as a mere toy.

E

[Elias @ Jan 25th 2006 11:32PM]

People who regard wives as entertainment systems are better off with game consoles.

E

[free games @ Jan 26th 2006 1:09AM]

Yeah, but can an Aibo play tug of war with a sock toy? I think they're still working on that.

[A.J. @ Jan 26th 2006 4:53AM]

Yes, we need more technology like this, so that we teach future generations that life is nothing more to be valued than that of a robot, that responsibility does not exist, that when things get tough they can be solved at the push of a button, that things take care of themselves, and that there is no real emotion involved in companionship. Grant it, I may sound extreme, but that's where dumb studies like this could potentially lead.

[wAkO @ Jan 26th 2006 5:39AM]

AIBO wont be replacing my dog...


I doubt AIBO is able to sleep with you, lie down on your feet to keep it warm, have the funniest face expressions, will never have floppy ears to play with, feel its warmth, and especially protect you.

AIBO is only made for entertainment, and tried to emulate companionship. In the end, AIBO wont be the one trying to protect you even though you think he is your best friend, he'll probably be sitting at his recharging station, or at best run into the crook that broke into your house and break his plastic head

[Boomshack @ Jan 26th 2006 8:56AM]

Also discovered in the study:

Surfing the web, looking at porn and playing with yourself is just as good as making love to a real person who loves you!

Playing video games all day is just as fulfilling as engaging in discussions with other people!

Looking at photos of vacation resorts is just as enjoyable as going there!

Living like a pig in a box on antibiotics is just as good as getting out in the world and experiencing it's rich diversity.

[Joe @ Jan 26th 2006 9:27AM]

Nice toaster. Good toaster. Awww, what a cute little toaster. I swear some of you would prefer a robot baby because it's easier to take care of. No wonder people today are so emotionally detached. What is this world coming to?

[Dissent @ Jan 26th 2006 11:57AM]

Pfft. Untill this thing gets about 500% more realistic it cant be called a dog.

[tiuk @ Jan 26th 2006 1:07PM]

The point of my post above about dirty animals slobbering all over me was that some people just don't like pets. I've never had, and never wanted, a dog (or cat). I understand that some people like them, but I *hate* the fact that those people nearly always try and make everyone else like them too. If you want a dog, fine, keep it on a leash the hell away from me, make sure it doesn't have rabies, and enjoy. I happen to think robo-pets are stupid as well, but there you have it, it's my opinion.

[Jon @ Jan 26th 2006 3:59PM]

Well... "pets"? I see they only talked about dogs. I don't like dogs and I wouldn't like one (just as I wouldn't like a robot), but I absolutely love cats, so...

And a robot cat could never be like a real cat. I'd say the same about dogs, even though I'm not a dog person.

ALSO, the headline of the original article is misleading, because when you read the article, it doesn't AT ALL say that they could be AS GOOD pets. The study (as described in the article) only concluded that a robot pet "could be a good companion". I don't see where it claims the test groups compared with a real pet.

Piece of junk "journalism". Piece of junk citing of a piece of junk "journalism".

[paul @ Feb 1st 2006 3:31AM]

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[paul @ Feb 1st 2006 3:37AM]

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[johnadeoye @ Feb 9th 2006 8:48PM]

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[johnadeoye @ Feb 9th 2006 8:51PM]

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[P. @ Feb 22nd 2006 12:37PM]

I think that 'toys' like this will only lead to the creation of Terminators. And we all know what will happen on Judgement day. A good note on that is that we already have the good-Terminator in office here in Cali, so I guess I can breath a little easier.

[Erik @ Feb 25th 2006 12:01PM]

Jon is right. This is "junk journalism." I worked on this project at Purdue and no where did any of our findings come to the conclusion that "robot pets are as good as live ones."