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Apr 24 2004 4 Comments

Robotic rapture

When it comes to gadgets I find it very hard to resist, and if it wasn’t for the hefty price tag, I’m sure I’d have been the proud owner of a Sony Aibo a long long time ago. When it comes to animals though, a lot of people feel that having a robotic pet is odd to say the least. And so wouldn’t even consider getting one.

s-aibo.jpg

Now I’ll readily admit that pretty much all the points put forward by those supporting real pets over robotic ones are valid, and I can’t really argue with any of them. But this picture I saw yesterday of some hospitalized kids playing with an Aibo proves that such pets aren’t all bad. The sheer joy on the children’s faces is there for all to see.

robottherapy.jpg

But before I get uncharacteristically sentimental, I should move on and say that the use of robotic pets in Japan is not just restricted to kids. Professor Toshiyo Tamura has done extensive research on the effects of robotic therapy on elderly patients, and he has found that whilst useful, older people prefer robots that are furry and huggable. So as you can see from the picture below, the professor has got around this problem by wrapping an Aibo in a cuddly little coat.

robotsfortheold.jpg

But for his patients’ sake, I hope he doesn’t intend using those scary looking dolls on the left as part of his research. Just looking at them makes me feel uneasy, and I don’t care how furry their coats may be, I certainly wouldn’t want to be hugging one those devilish looking things. Especially if their eyes move!

Categorized: General, Technology Stuff

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. em says

    4/28/2004 at 8:11 am

    hang on–what’s the robot feet up on the right?? that’s a scary sight…well, for a mom.

    Reply
  2. Lee says

    4/28/2004 at 8:50 am

    That’s a very good point Em. I hadn’t noticed them before.

    What’s going on there I dread to think. But I bet those evil looking dolls on the left have something to do with it!

    Reply
  3. HannUR says

    11/23/2005 at 6:11 am

    Lol, thats totaly gross, didnt see it at first, am all with the ” dolls below done it ” te he anyway, they seem pretty cool,
    Tahh x
    The idogs seem better, pro japanease ones not the american ones, american ones r rubbish i got one of each, the ones from japan are way better,
    Bye
    HannUR
    x

    Reply
  4. sassycassie says

    6/28/2006 at 3:38 am

    What other featues does the Aibo have that the iDog doesn’t? i mean, you said it was more advanced, but how? How much does the Aibo cost in the U.S? Thanks so much!

    Reply

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