Robotic Pets

Adorable robotic seal offers comfort and cuddles for dementia patients.

16:57 11 January 2016

Robotic pets designed to provide comfort and companionship particularly to dementia patients are displayed at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

 

These include Paro – a robotic seal covered in artificial fur that imitates animal behaviour. It responds to sound and touch and even develops its own character over time.

 

The concept behind robotic pets builds on the idea of animal-assisted therapy, which has been practice for some time. However, several hospitals and nursing homes do not allow pets to minimize the risk of bits, infections, and allergies.

 

Paro has been designed to provide a substitute and offers relaxation, entertainment, and companionship to its owners. The robotic pet costs £5,000 and is currently being used in Japan and throughout Europe to help patients suffering from dementia.

 

"Pet robotics has come a long way from the Tamagotchi craze of the mid-90s," said Dr Jean-Loup Rault, from the University of Melbourne in Australia.

 

"In Japan, people are becoming so attached to their robot dogs that they hold funerals for them when the circuits die."