Resistance is futile; AI-automated robot pets will be assimilated into our culture. In 2020, I first wrote about the potential for Furby-1000 zoodroids to threaten peeing-and-pooping pets’ place in the home. Since then, advances in artificial intelligence have made those robots possible.
Colin Angle, former chief executive officer of iRobot and one of the creators of the Roomba vacuum, introduced an artificial intelligence-powered robotic companion called the Familiar, reported the Associated Press, a reference to the supernatural helpers of witches, sorcerers and other non-Muggles.
The familiar is approximately the size of a bulldog, but not made to looks like either a dog or cat. The zoodroid features plush fur, expressive eyes and animal-like movements intended to encourage emotional interaction. Angle said the design intentionally avoids resembling a specific animal or a human to reduce preconceived expectations.
Unlike voice assistants or humanoid robots, the Familiar is meant to function only as a pet. It does not speak, but it can process audio input and learn from interactions using generative artificial intelligence. Many of these behaviors would have been impossible before the development of current AI models, Angle said. Artificial intelligence now allows the robot to adapt its behavior over time based on conversations and household routines. The robot can stretch in greeting, respond to touch and follow people around the home.
The startup behind the project, Familiar Machines & Magic, revealed the prototype publicly at The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything conference. The company is targeting consumers seeking companionship, particularly older adults who may no longer want the responsibilities associated with caring for live pets, a strategy followed by earlier zoodroids.
Potential to replace living pets
Some may scoff that people will never want the dead-eyed glare of an unfeeling machine over the loving stare of a devoted dog or contemptuous glance of a cat. However, AI may enable these robotic pets to become just as cute, silly and unpredictable as the most playful kittahs racking up views on TikTok.
A doe-eyed, fluffy robot could learn exactly what most amuses its owner by trying millions of behaviors learned from living or fictional animals in YouTube and other social media videos.
It seems to me that the iRobot inventor missed an opportunity to combine his two ideas into one. There’s no reason a zoodroid couldn’t perform chores around the house. Even dogs only vacuum up lost French fries, while a zoodroid could clean the rug while you were away like a Roomba. A robot pet could also serve as burglar and fire alarm, and unlike a Doberman, it could dial 911 for a person who's fallen and can't get up.
Angle did take the right angle on appearance though. The Familiar is cute with no foray into the uncanny valley. Since it’s not trying to look like a real animal, it doesn’t trigger that sense of something being off. I think the idea could be pushed even further.
An owner could change the skin of a robotic pet with no mess, unlike a real pet (don't try). A person could customize their zoodroid to meet their tastes. Exotic or fantastic animals could become robotic companions. No need for de-extinction or Jurassic Park, people could have pet velociraptor robots, complete with front-door-opening abilities. That'll keep solicitors away! Zoodroid designers could exaggerate neotenic, infant-like features to make a synthetic pet so cute that baby Yoda would turn greener with envy.
By 2019, in the fictional Blade Runner (or Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?) world, robotic pets had already replaced real animals. Living creatures had become extremely expensive, replaced by synthetic owls and robotic Burmese pythons. While live snake or goat ownership is not yet a sign of opulence, pet care costs have contributed towards pet owners choosing smaller dog breeds or cats. Changing lifestyles also push people towards more low maintenance pets, as people move to cities to work long hours while living in cramped urban apartments. No room for a Great Dane, but maybe a cat. For people with even less time, a turtle can thrive with little social interaction. However, no matter how small or anti-social the pet, you can’t turn a pet off.
A zoodroid could take the best qualities of pets, yet never pee on the couch or need boarding during vacation or business trips. People could work late or take the kids to the park without worrying that the dog was lonely and crossing her legs.
Robotic pets remain novelties today, but horse-less carriages and moving pictures were new once too. As zoodroids advance they could disrupt the pet food industry. If you don’t believe me, try taking a trolley car to the zeppelin port.
Tim Wall | DALL-E
