Rise Of Robot Pets Seen In An Overpopulated World

[damnedifIknow]

The prospect of robopets and virtual pets is not as far-fetched as we may think, according to University of Melbourne animal welfare researcher Dr Jean-Loup Rault.

His paper in the latest edition of Frontiers in Veterinary Science argues pets will soon become a luxury in an overpopulated world and the future may lie in chips and circuits that mimic the real thing.

“It might sound surreal for us to have robotic or virtual pets, but it could be totally normal for the next generation,” Dr Rault said.

“It’s not a question of centuries from now. If 10 billion human beings live on the planet in 2050 as predicted, it’s likely to occur sooner than we think. If you’d described Facebook to someone 20 years ago, they’d think you were crazy. But we are already seeing people form strong emotional bonds with robot dogs in Japan.

“Pet robotics has come a long way from the Tamagotchi craze of the mid-90s. In Japan, people are becoming so attached to their robot dogs that they hold funerals for them when the circuits die.”

http://www.eurasiareview.com/11052015-rise-of-robot-pets-seen-in-an-overpopulated-world/

[NV Whino]

1. I like the non shedding aspect

But…

And what about robotic cats? “Well, that’s a little harder because you have to make them unpredictable,” he concluded.

[Sparhawk60]

2. Turning Them Off

When we go on vacation would be nice. Just program it to come back on to greet me at the door with joyful barks and leaps of joy (dog) or studied indifference to my return (cat).

[B2G]

3. Well that is sure to catch on.

15 years ago I ended up removing my kids' Furbie batteries and stuffing them in a closet.

[FSogol]

6. The Furbies or the kids?

[B2G]

8. Lol...I was tempted to do both!

Where's my Furbie?!?

I don't know, where did you put it?

[longship]

4. Rise of robot pests seen.

[B2G]

5. And might I suggest they improve on the whole

"looks like a red Lego with airplane wing ears" design before going to market.

That might fly in Japan, but it won't here. Lol.

[damnedifIknow]

11. He's kind of cute in a robotic way

I'm naming mine Terminator.

[MineralMan]

7. First World Weirdness

Pets, either alive or robotic ARE a luxury. Where poverty and hunger are real issues, pets are not an issue at all.

[Nye Bevan]

9. Doctor Who acquired K9 in 1977.

Ahead of his time as usual.

[Bosonic]

10. Something for Johnny Depp to consider next time he visits Australia

Australia to Depp: Fly your dogs out or we'll put them down

[NobodyHere]

12. I just want my Marilyn Monroe bot

nt