Could the future for man’s best friend be more chrome than canine?
During the 1990s and early 2000s, digital or robotic pets were at the top of most children’s Christmas lists. From the pocket-sized Tamagotchi to the spirited Furby, these toys gave us a glimpse of what we could expect from developers in the future. Since our interests were piqued over 20 years ago, the idea of a robotic pet has far surpassed the realm of being just a toy, with many having become a functional and useful piece of technology. Earlier this year at the CES exhibition in Las Vegas, Sony showcased their latest recreation of the 90s hit robot dog, Aibo. Almost unrecognisable compared to its original form, the new Aibo is arguably the most technologically advanced robotic pet on the market. Jam-packed with sensory, locomotive and automated technology, this robot dog has raised an important question: Could our animal companions ever be replaced by robots?
CREATING A COMPANION
When it comes to robotic animals, there is a significant difference between what is a toy and what you could truly consider a pet. One key difference lies in their level of autonomy and accompanying artificial intelligence (AI). The majority of robopet toys of the 90s and 2000s had been programmed with limited abilities. They could give a set response to sounds or be controlled remotely by their user to follow commands. Therefore it’s hard to imagine that the unique characteristics of our beloved pets could ever be reproduced in a robotic alternative. However, with the introduction of AI to life-imitating pets, their ability to learn and develop a ‘personality’ could make them much more than just a toy.
Denne historien er fra Issue 113-utgaven av How It Works.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Issue 113-utgaven av How It Works.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THE POWER OF WATER
We're hooked on fossil fuels. But hydroelectric power is becoming an increasingly important replacement for coal and oil
EXPLORING THE MOON'S CAVES
Earth's rocky neighbour is home to a network of unexplored caves, and scientists are keen to take a peek inside
HOW TO ELECT THE PRESIDENT
The campaigns, votes and elections that put someone in America's most powerful office
WHAT IS MORNING SICKNESS?
Why some pregnancies can cause nausea and vomiting
20 WEIRDEST SCIENCE MYSTERIES
From dark matter to deep-sea crabs, science still can't fully explain these strange quirks of nature
THE TRIANGULUM GALAXY SHINES IN A NEW HUBBLE IMAGE
A nearby galaxy is shining with star formation in a new image from the Hubble Space Telescope.
The world's fastest charger fully powers smartphones in five minutes
Scientists have revealed the fastest battery-charging technology in the world for smartphones, which can fully charge a smartphone in less than five minutes.
Real-time brain stimulation slashes Parkinson's symptoms by half in trials
Brain stimulation that rapidly adjusts in real-time can dramatically reduce Parkinson’s symptoms, an early trial suggests.
The hottest ocean temperature in 400 years threatens the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is facing the hottest sea surface temperatures in four centuries.
Massive medieval coin hoard worth about 150 sheep' discovered
Archaeologists in Germany have unearthed over 1,500 medieval silver coins after a citizen noticed what looked like ‘small metal plates’ while digging during a construction project.
