Mechanical Friends
Though they are currently somewhat costly and their presence is quite sparse, companion robots may eventually become commonplace in society alongside human-robot relationships as seen in the Sakurai couple's familial relationships with their Aibos. The love and comfort that a living pet provides is desirable but not always practical for everyone in terms of costs, maintenance, living space, and living conditions, but a robotic pet may become a fitting solution to these ever growing limitations.
Human-animal relationships and role of pets as friendly companions is a bond that is set to stay well into the future despite rising populations and technological advancements. Jean-Loup Rault, a veterinary science researcher at the University of Melborne speculates that “as the world population heads toward 9.6 billion by 2050 and technology advances, robotic pets could serve as an emotionally satisfying substitute for their live counterparts in cramped living quarters” (Kliegman). With rising populations comes smaller living spaces and more expenses that go into caring for a pet. If individuals desire the companionship of a human-animal relationship without the want or capacity to allocate extra costs and responsibility, a companion robot is a viable solution. Robotic pets and companions of the like can thus provide the companionship of a living animal without the extra costs and need for valuable space in the home.
From as they exist today, the presence of companion robots in hospitals, nursing homes, and households of children with special needs may increase along with the companion robot industry. Though the presence of companion robots in nursing homes are seen as controversial due to some apparent level of deception, they still provide a similar companionship as their living animal counterparts. In nursing homes and hospitals, sanitation is important. As such, companion robots taking the place of living animals in these settings are a sanitary alternative that can simulate the same kind of human-animal interactions. These robotic pets are also suitable in “households of children with special needs, and among people who simply don't want the responsibility of caring for living creatures” (Kliegman). Companion robots are an alternative for those who cannot properly care and tend to living animals and those who do not want living animals but still desire the companionship and playful company that a pet provides. |
Article
Kliegman, Julie. “Will Your Pets Be Robotic in 2050?” The Week, The Week Publications, 3 June 2015, theweek.com/articles/557429/pets-robotic-2050.
Kliegman, Julie. “Will Your Pets Be Robotic in 2050?” The Week, The Week Publications, 3 June 2015, theweek.com/articles/557429/pets-robotic-2050.