A research has suggested that providing older people with pet companions is beneficial particularly if they are suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.
A robocat has been designed by a company called Hasbro to provide the elderly a companion that can help them combat problems such as loneliness.
The robocat is designed to mimic a real animal. It miaows, semi-convincingly, and it purrs, very convincingly. It's fluffy and nice to stroke. The cat also reacts to interaction via a series of simplistic sensors across its body.
"We don't think this is a replacement for a pet," says Ted Fischer, vice-president of business development for Hasbro. And, incidentally, a man who is allergic to cats.
"What we've tried to create is this interactive companion which is familiar and has characteristics and is lifelike."
"We're excited to make a commitment to this category. We're going to watch how this goes and learn a lot."
Other robotic animal that has been invented recently is called Paro, a Japanese-designed robotic seal that was featured at various tech shows. It is significantly more advanced when compared to Hasbro’s robotic cat but also more expensive at $5,000. Paro is touted as a medical device and is currently in use around the world, including within Britain’s NHS.