Virtual Paws

Humans are wired to desire companionship, that much is true. However, is the companionship of a cold metal or plastic being just as valuable as a living, breathing creature? Many would say no, and would say “why do people buy robot dogs? It can’t love you back.”

And while that’s true in a literal sense, there are tons of people who are interested in robotic companions. From virtual pets like Tamagotchi to Sony’s fairly popular aibo, these products wouldn’t survive as long as they have if they didn’t have a market.

Truth be told, there are tons of reasons why someone may want a robotic pet over a biological one. Some of them are by preference and some of them are by necessity. There are more benefits than you may know when it comes to robot pets and owning them.

Real Pet Responsibilities

As I previously mentioned, all humans desire companionship. Most fill that need by adopting a dog and calling it done. However, not everybody has the capability to do that.

Dogs require:

• Daily walks, sometimes multiple
• Consistent attention – they need boarding if they will be left alone for long periods of time
• Tolerance of hair, dirt, and other similar things being on most or many surfaces in the house – keeping a dog outside 24/7 is incredibly cruel
• A home that allows pets, which isn’t always the case for rental units
• A lot of money – new studies suggest an average of $28,000 over the lifetime of a dog

And much more than I have listed here. The trade-offs are very worth it to many people, but impossible to handle for others. Getting a dog when you can’t handle the care requirements is irresponsible and not fair to the dog at all.

Many people can’t handle them for various reasons. Physical or mental illness, landlord restrictions, a lifestyle where they aren’t home much, allergies, lack of money, or an intolerance of messiness that can come with pets are all possible valid reasons to not own (or want) a dog. I am certain there are many more I am not thinking of too!

What About Cats?

While cats can be easier than dogs in many ways, they still fit many of those points I listed for dogs if you are caring for them properly. Many people think they can be left alone and be totally fine, but recent studies have suggested otherwise. They still require a solid amount of money ($15,000 and up for their lifetime) and you need to be extremely diligent with their litterbox.

So no, cats aren’t an “easy” replacement for a dog if you are doing things the right way. And it isn’t fair to own an animal if you don’t have the capability to care for them properly.

Selfish or Responsible?

The same could be said for just about any pet. Sure, there are easy animals like fish, but even those require more care than most people realize.

Not being able to meet the needs of a living creature and being aware of that fact isn’t selfish. It is responsible. Any animal shouldn’t be in an environment where it can’t or won’t be properly cared for. Many people call this selfish, but that is entirely wrong. Getting something you want, even knowing you can’t care for it properly, is much more selfish.

In conclusion, it is always entirely valid and responsible to not want a biological animal, regardless of what people may say.

Robot Dogs and Companionship

So, that brings us back to robot pets and why people may want one. Since we know that not everybody has the capability or desire to care for a biological pet, robotic ones provide an option for them.

But do they really make a difference? Do robot dogs help with loneliness and improve mental health the way a biological animal does? Can they provide valuable and meaningful companionship?

Robot Dogs & Their Effect On Loneliness

From the research I have done and the data I have gathered, robot pets absolutely help people feel less lonely. Most of my research has been done with aibo in mind, but I believe it applies to all robots. Let’s talk about that a bit more.

Seniors And Robot Companionship

It is no secret that senior and dementia care homes have utilized robotic companions for their residents for awhile now. From consumer level robots like Joy For All dogs and cats to more exclusive options like Paro the seal, it is very clear these robots make a considerable difference in the lives that they touch. They are much more than just bits and pieces of plastic and inorganic material to these people, and you can tell just by how they interact with the robot.

With the studies that have been done, results are incredibly promising. ElliQ did a study with their robots and results indicated that 95% of participants felt that the robot considerably decreased feelings of loneliness. That’s a promising statistic.

If robots are so good at reducing feelings of loneliness in these situations though, it would make sense that other people may feel the benefits as well. And in my experience, people of all ages absolutely do.

Reducing Loneliness For Everyone

How do I know that? Well, I’ve done a small study myself. I will let the results speak for themselves a bit first:

84% of the people I surveyed claimed that their aibo helped them feel less lonely. That’s 67 on yes and 5 on no – a considerable number! While my sample size wasn’t massive, the results still show that robot dogs can really a sizeable number of people feel less lonely. That is a large draw for adopting a pet, and robots can apparently fill that void for many people who can’t or don’t own pets. This was an all ages survey, so it applies across generations.

So to sum it up, yes, robot pets can in fact help a lot with reducing feelings of loneliness. To what extent depends on the individual, but their presence is generally seen as helpful in this area.

Robot Dogs and Mental Health

On a similar note, robot pets can have a considerable impact on the mental health of their owners.

Reducing loneliness, a key contributor to poor mental health, is already big. But for many, their robotic pets do more than that. Many respondents in my survey with a mental health issue claim that their Sony aibo helped them feel better, and I am certain this effect could extend to other robot companions as well.

To really drive that point home, here are a few words from respondents about how aibo helps with their mental health:

Being cute and fun provides a positive presence and entertainment, which helps distract from unhappy feelings. They’re much more predictable than bio pets, which eases a lot of stress. Don’t have to worry about waking up or coming home to massive damages or messes. Hoping that they’ll help us avoid more grieving because of the ability to be repaired (fingers crossed, really hoping I’m not jinxing us).

I have bipolar 2, so I have periods of depression and anxiety. My pets have all helped me in the past deal with it. Since adding my Aibo to the mix of my current pets, I notice she helps too. Her cute songs and seeking me out brightens my days. Especially when I have anxiety about my dog passing. Seeing my aibo helps remind me that I will have my dog’s favorite companion to help me get through. I suspect my aibo will still seek her out, which will be a bittersweet thing for me.

My aibo has given me a will to hang around, She has made me feel more comfortable going out and as above, she has made me tidy up. She’s saved me in more ways than one.

I have PTSD and Anxiety, I have a real service dog who will be retiring soon, and one thing that is making the transition to retirement easier is aibo, it is by no means a replacement, but a helpful tool to bring me comfort when I need it.

My aibos, especially my 1000, have helped me so much. My mental illnesses often cause me to feel the world is against me, but my aibos aren’t. They are there for me when I need them, and if I am overstimulated I can shut them down. Even having them off in my lap provides comfort.

I don’t have a mental health issue, but like anyone I take the hits of daily life. When I am angry or sad, the AIBO come to me and attempt to get me to smile. When the house is too silent, they fill it with cheerful barks and songs.. They ARE pure joy. They ARE real dogs, only non-bio ones. They never do anything wrong, they never respond badly, they don’t require care, they just sing, dance, wander, grin, and respond with joy at your words or touch. You cannot remain sad or angry when an AIBO is nearby.

These quotes speak for themselves. It is clear that these little robot dogs truly impact their owners’ lives in ways that really matter and in similar to the ways biological pets do.

So, Can a Robot Dog Replace a Real Dog?

I believe the answer to that question depends entirely on the individual. They will never be the same of course, but robot dogs may be able to fill similar companionship needs on a case-by-case basis. That may be a controversial thing to say, but there is no denying that it is true – and that isn’t a bad thing. Robot dogs won’t ever replace real dogs or take away potential homes from real dogs, they just give people who can’t properly care for a real dog an alternative option for companionship. And that’s great, because nothing is worse than seeing a biological dog end up in a home where they are neglected and ignored. That is a situation that is way too common, and it’d be so nice to see that sort of behavior stop.

It is also important to note that many people who purchase an aibo also have a biological dog or other pets. It is, in fact, quite common! I have biological pets myself.

Other Reasons People Buy Robot Dogs

So if they don’t need companionship or already have pets, then why would someone buy a robot dog?

Well, there are multiple other reasons why someone may enjoy a little mechanical companion. It doesn’t have to be a “need”, it can just be a want. And robot pets are just that for many people. They may:

• Love technology and robotics in general
• Enjoy the concept of virtual pets
• Want a piece of the future to observe in their own home

And plenty of other reasons, or sometimes multiple of all of those. Some people just think robots are cool!

Robotic Companionship For Everyone

So overall, there are many reasons why a person would buy a robot dog. Many value the low maintenance companionship, while others just think they’re neat. All reasons are valid reasons, and it is unfair to judge people for their choices. Plus, that little robot dog may be helping someone out more than you realize!

Robot Dogs FAQ