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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRise Of Robot Pets Seen In An Overpopulated World
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.
Its not a question of centuries from now. If 10 billion human beings live on the planet in 2050 as predicted, its likely to occur sooner than we think. If youd described Facebook to someone 20 years ago, theyd 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/
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Rise Of Robot Pets Seen In An Overpopulated World (Original Post)
damnedifIknow
May 2015
OP
NV Whino
(20,886 posts)1. I like the non shedding aspect
But
And what about robotic cats? Well, thats a little harder because you have to make them unpredictable, he concluded.
Sparhawk60
(359 posts)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
(9,766 posts)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
(45,504 posts)6. The Furbies or the kids?
B2G
(9,766 posts)8. Lol...I was tempted to do both!
Where's my Furbie?!?
I don't know, where did you put it?
longship
(40,416 posts)4. Rise of robot pests seen.
B2G
(9,766 posts)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
(3,183 posts)11. He's kind of cute in a robotic way
I'm naming mine Terminator.
MineralMan
(146,320 posts)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
(25,406 posts)9. Doctor Who acquired K9 in 1977.
Ahead of his time as usual.
Bosonic
(3,746 posts)10. Something for Johnny Depp to consider next time he visits Australia
NobodyHere
(2,810 posts)12. I just want my Marilyn Monroe bot
nt