Senior Citizens Like Robo-Dogs As Much As Real Dogs
Logic would lead you to believe that the real dog would bring significantly more comfort to each of the residents, and that they would develop a stronger attachment to Sparky. Even the researchers clearly expected this result. Surprisingly, the AIBO was shown to be just as effective at alleviating loneliness and the participants grew just as attached to robotic mutt as they did to the living, breathing version.
As an added bonus, the robotic dogs require much less care and attention than a live animal. So senior citizens who are too physically or mentally frail to properly care for a pet can still obtain some of the benefits of companionship, without the worry of neglecting an animal.
Hey, it might seem kind of strange or funny, but in Japan, much of the bleeding-edge robotic innovation is focused solely on creating "helpers" for the elderly. Who knew it could be done so cheaply with a plastic dog lik AIBO?
From AOL News/Reuters
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I.M. Wreadkneck @ Feb 28th 2008 6:43PM
Most nursing home residents just want somebody or something to pay attention to themm and the robot dog did that. Also, many of the residents are "out of it." That is why they are there. For years, I took my dog, a therapy dog, to a nursing home. Some enjoyed the visits, others just sat there like zombies.
lmosenko @ Feb 29th 2008 12:18PM
AIBO can act just like a real dog when fully trained! It has just as many interaction subroutines, as a real dog has people skills.
Ray @ Feb 29th 2008 3:00PM
Does it poop out hearng aid batteries???
Alex @ Mar 1st 2008 8:41PM
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CeeCee @ Mar 1st 2008 8:55PM
If I have any pet from now on, it will be a fake one. I just don't have the desire to clean up or take care of an real animal. People will give live animals as a gift assuming the person, needs it, wants it, even when the person says no. No one will ever put me in that predicament again, I will hand it back over to them right away, if they wouldn't take, I would not have a problem or feel guilty with taking it to the SPCA, so don't assume a pet is for everyone. I like them, but don't want them for a companion. I can find other ways to occupy my time.
M.A. @ Mar 1st 2008 9:57PM
Epcot-DisneyWorld 2002. That's when we first saw the robot dog. At that time, we were looking a a robot puppy that would repond to a voice command. It would piddle on the floor if you filled it with water, and would bark on command at the front door. Most impressive was the electronic eyes that would act as surveilliance when it went outside. You could see what it saw from the monitor placed in your home. The puppy even sat down, rolled over, and waged it's tail. The audience fell in love with it.
Eleanor Peters @ Mar 1st 2008 11:19PM
GOD forbid I ever end up like this. Know we all have to get old but I prefer to let nature take its course. No life saving devises for me. I want to go when GOD, calls me. Have signed all of the important papers stating so. Am 81 now so have some years in front of me yet. In the meantime I will keep as busy as I can, on my own untill I cannot do it any more, then will move to the next chair. Justlet me die in peace as GOD, so willed it. Modern medicine is wonderful. but why make zombies of us. Let us live out our lives in peace. We have earned it.Think a lot of people feel the same.
Gwen Arnold @ Mar 1st 2008 11:33PM
Oh, dear, please excuse my typo. Some people actually say "ex-specially", but I am not one of those. I do like correct spelling...and typing, but should have done my proofreading! Cheers!
Gwen Arnold @ Mar 1st 2008 11:33PM
I saw a darling fake cat on TV, but I thought how sad if I should need something that badly. We had pets, expecially cats, all our lives, but I am in an apartment by my children now and am afraid I'd trip over one; also I'm unable to tend to a litter box. To each her own...if someone gets pleasure from these, good, but I'm not that lonely, keep busy all the time.
daphne @ Mar 2nd 2008 12:27AM
Damn old ppl will believe anything!
deleted @ Mar 2nd 2008 1:46AM
I don't get it. Let a needy animal willing to give unconditional love rot and die in a shelter..and rush out and buy a overpriced machine with a chip for a brain. Have electronics really surpassed humanity? This is just sad.
Kim @ Mar 2nd 2008 1:49AM
I just bought my 86-year-old mother Techno. After not having a pet for over 40 years, she suddenly felt the need to have a little more life in her home. However, I knew she wasn't capable of properly caring for an animal, and let's face it, it would likely outlive her. I brought it home and trained it before giving it to her and I found myself talking to it - it was fun.