A scientific study published this month shows that the robotic dog Aibo is as effective as a real dog for treating loneliness in nursing homes. It has long been known that animal-assisted therapy (longhand for bringing a dog to visit long term care facilities a few times a month) can help reduce loneliness, but researchers decided to study whether it was really the furry pet that mattered or if a harder, plastic computerized object could do the job just as well. Turns out that when compared to a control group who didn't get any animal or robot attention, the patients who interacted with the robot improved just as much as those who got visits from a real dog.
If you have an elderly relative who tends to get lonely, we recommend purchasing a friendly robot for her (Aibos aren't on the market right now, but a Pleo could work). It may take a while for her to learn to charge it, but think about how much easier that is than taking care of a hungry, needy and messy cat or dog.
JAMDA, via U.S. News and World Report
editor@dvice.com
By Fox13 at 2:40 AM ON 03/15/08
Sweet, but, how long until you need to recharge it?
By charleff at 6:01 AM ON 03/20/08
Is it soft and furry? Will it curl up by your feet at night, all warm? Will it play with you?
By Daveman at 8:07 AM ON 03/20/08
Yeah the only positive I see here is the robot dawg dudnt poop-n-wizz or leave hair everywhere. I cant see though, how a robot dawg can replicate the affection a real dog can give.
By Darrahsmagic at 10:06 AM ON 03/20/08
The Sony Aibo, is no longer available.
Unless Sony is making them again, your stuck with trying to get one off E-bay.
By ScifiChild at 4:19 PM ON 04/13/08
I'll stick with real dogs, thanks.