Artificially intelligent (AI) robotic pet companions are increasingly used as emotional and social aids for seniors, particularly those facing loneliness, dementia, or cognitive decline.

These robotic pets, such as those from brands like Joy for All Companion Pets, Sony's Aibo, Tombot, and the therapeutic PARO seal, mimic the appearance and some behaviors of real animals through lifelike fur, sounds, motion sensors, and interaction capabilities.

For example, Joy for All pets have heartbeats, can respond to voice and touch, purr or bark, and move their heads.

PARO uses sensors to react to stimuli and express emotions, significantly benefiting dementia patients psychologically and socially.

Tombot's robot dogs are designed to emulate real Labrador puppies to offer companionship, inspired by experiences with caregiving relatives with Alzheimer's disease.

Multiple senior care communities have adopted robotic pets with documented benefits including improved mood, appetite, social interaction, reduced anxiety, loneliness, and depression, particularly for residents with dementia.

They provide a sense of purpose by allowing seniors to feel like they are caring for a living being without the physical demands or health risks of real pets, which many eldercare settings cannot accommodate.

Events distributing these pets have shown positive emotional responses despite users understanding they are robotic.

AI pet companions also play social roles beyond physical therapy, with devices like ElliQ providing conversation, health reminders, encouragement, and connection to family via video calls.

ElliQ customizes interactions based on user preferences and can proactively engage in wellness monitoring, reflecting advances in AI tailored for eldercare.

These conversational AI robots are being distributed through state programs in the U.S. and show promise in combating social isolation, a recognized public health risk linked to serious illnesses and premature death.

Safety measures such as contact approval for calls are highlighted to address privacy and security concerns.

Public attitudes vary but tend toward acceptance, especially recognizing robotic pets as beneficial companions when real pet care is impractical or unsafe.

Users report enjoyment and emotional comfort, and caregivers acknowledge the support in reducing stress and anxiety.

However, some seniors initially experience ambivalence or confusion, which often resolves with use and emotional bonding over time.

Robotic pets fill care gaps created by staff shortages and patient isolation in nursing settings.

Despite these benefits, limitations and ethical concerns remain.

The emotional authenticity of robotic pets is debated; while they simulate companionship, they lack sentience and true reciprocal interaction.

There is an ongoing ethical discussion about replacing live animals or human contact with robots, potentially diminishing the value of genuine relationships.

Critics stress that reliance on robotic companions may mask underlying social isolation without addressing its causes.

Practical limitations include the lack of spontaneity compared to real animals, languages currently supported mostly being English, and potential cost barriers, with prices for robotic pets ranging from about $100 to several thousand for advanced models like Sony’s Aibo[?].

Technical vulnerabilities, such as hacking risks, are carefully managed by companies through security protocols.

Moreover, ensuring the elderly can operate and accept these devices is important because digital literacy and affordability are challenges.

In summary, robotic pet companions offer significant emotional and social benefits for seniors, especially those with dementia or living in supportive care settings without the capacity to care for live animals.

Current products provide interactive, responsive companionship and health support, improving wellbeing and quality of life.

Public acceptance is growing, although with mixed initial reactions, and ethical considerations urge a balanced approach respecting human-animal bonds and emphasizing that robotics should complement, not replace, human care and real pets.

Cost, technical limitations, and cultural factors remain challenges to broader adoption.

Research and government programs continue to expand the use of these devices as part of multifaceted strategies against elder isolation.

Artificially intelligent (AI) robotic pet companions are increasingly used as emotional and social aids for seniors, particularly those facing loneliness, dementia, or cognitive decline.

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“She’s a good girl”: Robot pets help Lehigh Valley senior residents live longer, happier lives

Gathered in a semi-circle, a group of women in wheelchairs petted the newly adopted cats and dogs sitting on their laps Wednesday afternoon, talking softly to their new companions. The dogs barked and leaned in for pets, the cats meowed and rolled over for scratches — almost like they were real.

But the animals were robots, a fact that wasn’t lost on many of the women in the Fellowship Manor sitting room.

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One resident at the Whitehall Township senior living community, Jackie, named her small golden retriever robot Goldie. Jackie said she grew up on a farm in Palmer Township with plenty of dogs but never one that looked like Goldie.

“She’s a good girl — she just sits there and doesn’t make a sound unless you talk to her,” Jackie said.

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That was one of 20 pairings made at the adoption event at Fellowship Community where residents, primarily those with dementia, picked out one of 20 robotic pets — 10 dogs and 10 cats — to serve as their companions.

Animal therapy can be beneficial for seniors, especially those with dementia. Benefits for seniors include improved cardiovascular health, better quality of life and decreased feelings of anxiety, loneliness and depression.

However, it’s not reasonable or safe in most care settings to introduce real animals, according to Mary Kay McMahon, president and CEO of Fellowship Community.

“Because of their own care needs most of our residents couldn’t take care of animals and our staff don’t have the time to take care of them,” McMahon said.

But research has found that use of robotic pets still offers a number of benefits to seniors with dementia, including improved well-being, mood and quality of life. McMahon said there are also benefits for seniors who were caregivers for much of their lives.

The adoption event was a surprise for many residents. Jackie said she didn’t know they would be giving out robot pets until about 10 a.m. Wednesday when she was asked if she wanted one.

Another resident, Elaine, said she rolled into the room not knowing what was going on but asked if she could have a golden retriever robot, like Jackie’s. Elaine promptly named her new friend Dog, pronounced “D-O-G.”

“I always wanted to name a dog Dog,” Elaine said.

McMahon said they tried to match the animals with residents based on their preferences. Once they made a match, the robotic companions were theirs to keep.

McMahon said staff have seen how the robot pets can help. Just before the pandemic, Fellowship Community bought a handful of robotic pets for residents. She said the recipients all saw improvements in their mood, appetites and social interactions, and reduced anxiety and depression. The robot pets even reminded some of real dogs or cats they had owned, she said, which helps in the long term with their conditions.

“It gives them a sense of purpose,” McMahon said. “They feel like they are taking care of something.”

It helps that the robots are very lifelike — the imitation fur is soft and built-in sensors allow the companion pets to respond to a person’s presence and touch as well as react to the environment.

Each one costs a little more than $100, which were paid for via a Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors 100th Anniversary Community Charity Grant.

Though Jackie and Elaine both said they knew their dogs weren’t “real,” they both remarked how Goldie and Dog moved their head when petted and how soft they were.

“She’s going to be a good pet,” Jackie said.

Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at 610-679-4028 or lgreiss@mcall.com.

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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

These robotic pets, such as those from brands like Joy for All Companion Pets, Sony's Aibo, Tombot, and the therapeutic PARO seal, mimic the appearance and some behaviors of real animals through lifelike fur, sounds, motion sensors, and interaction capabilities.

For example, Joy for All pets have heartbeats, can respond to voice and touch, purr or bark, and move their heads.

Title:

Content: Robotic animal dolls may not be the first thought that comes to mind when considering a companion pet, but Diana Wise and Carol Brown believe otherwise. In fact, the two say Joy for All companion pets can make a big difference in providing comfort to aging adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia who are struggling with social isolation.

Wise saw this firsthand in her mother, who had dementia for years and lived in a memory care unit at an assisted living facility. Wise would visit her mother regularly, but when COVID hit, she could no longer do so.

“I was unable to see her for eight months,” said Wise, “And when I finally was able to see her, I saw the decline of how much the isolation affected her … [W]hen I found my mom, well, they said that all she did was sleep – what else was there to do? And so that isolation impacted her a lot. Her memory was just – everything had changed about her.”

Wise’s mother, Helen Espinoza, passed away in November 2020 from COVID complications. In the midst of her grief, Wise found herself wanting to do something in her mother’s memory that would help someone else. After having heard an idea from Brown about robotic companion pets, she soon had the idea to partner with her. As a result, Wise formed the “Share the Love” Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund.

“The first thing that came to mind was these animals to help with memory care units or caregivers, assisted living, with this isolation,” said Wise. “I mean, with COVID it really put a lot of perspective about how hard it is on these residents without having [companionship.] They can’t have little animals and stuff, but why not have this – the best, next best thing? You know, the interaction itself?”

The idea to use robotic pets came when Brown was doing her own research into solutions for the decline in quality of life brought on by isolation in these affected residents. Brown stated that with the Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) Area Agency on Aging, she focuses heavily on three areas that affect seniors the most, and one of them is Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“For several years, we’ve been extremely aware that social isolation is causing a huge decline in quality of life and life expectancy in our seniors,” she said. “And COVID did shine a huge light on it: people started understanding how detrimental it is to be isolated like that. So we were looking for solutions prior to, but with COVID, it really lit a fire underneath to start seeking out possibilities to help resolve some of the issues going on.”

Brown explained that people with Alzheimer’s and dementia can struggle with extreme anxiety and agitation. They often benefit from having something to do with their hands. Their senses of time, space and reality can become skewed. Changes in environment or schedule can be really upsetting. And sometimes people with these diagnoses live alone with no help or companionship.

“On the other side is the caregiver, who – especially during COVID – found themselves 24/7 alone with that loved one, providing all the care because many of them didn’t want the services even coming into their home,” she said. “They were too afraid to let anybody in … So if their loved one isn’t sleeping, neither are they. So now the caregiver’s extremely stressed out, exhausted, overwhelmed, and they need help.”

Enter Joy for All’s lifelike robotic pets. With options between cats and puppies, the companion pets have heartbeats, can purr or lick, meow or bark, move and respond to motion, voice and touch. When needed, they can be muted as well. As robotic pets, they avoid the liabilities and dangers of caring for a living creature while still providing the comfort of an animal.

Brown had been demonstrating two pets in an interview with the Sun when a passerby had stopped to say, “Wow, I thought they were real!” Brown shared that she’s seen people visibly relax with the pets.

“There’s a lot of studies that were done years ago about giving folks with Alzheimer’s a baby doll,” she explained. “Many facilities don’t allow it. They consider it demeaning … But they were missing the point that if you’re not going to do that, then what are you going to do? You need to provide them with something that they can hang on to.

“Because these are so lifelike, it does exactly what the studies, the research, shows: it’s going to bring down the anxiety level. If there’s aggression, it tends to fall back down just as well … [and] you’re giving their caregiver a break.”

Wise and Brown shared that they hope not only to provide these pets to individuals with Alzheimer’s or their caregivers, but also to facilities with assisted living and skilled nursing memory care units where current shortages in staff mean individuals may be doing the work of two or three staff members at a time.

Brown shared that the Joy for All puppy typically costs about $140 while the cat costs $120. With bulk purchasing, she can bring the cost down a bit, but not by much. Additionally, the fund needs to cover rechargeable batteries for the pets.

The foundation will need to raise more funds to acquire more pets, but Wise and Brown reported that they’ve already been able to provide a few pets thanks to a donation made by AARP.

“So we were able to place a couple already at Daybreak Adult Daycare Center,” said Brown. “They are one of the providers that WACOG works with, so we were able to make a donation and bring them a puppy and kitten.

“They’re very popular. [The staff] make sure they handle it in a certain way so that there isn’t fighting. I think last time I talked to Mary, I think what they do is they got animal crates so when it’s time for them to go to bed, they get put in their crate.”

Seeing the difference the pets are making, Wise not only wishes to raise more funds to provide more of them, she also hopes to get the word out in case people may want to purchase the pets for their own family members.

“What I witnessed seeing the other residents that have Alzheimer’s, dementia: they do hold onto things and it gives them comfort,” she said. “My heart just went for this and so I know my mom would be really proud of that.

“… I needed something to come out positive about this, especially about how we’ve heard so much about the isolation with people in senior living homes and stuff, so we needed to have something a little bit more positive and something that we can do to uplift out of this whole thing.”

Wise and Brown also noted that despite the setbacks in kickstarting their fundraising campaign, now is a good time for people to learn about “Share the Love” and the Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund. November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers month.

As older adults continue to face the obstacles of Alzheimer’s and dementia in a pandemic, Wise and Brown hope to further reduce isolation for Yuma County’s elderly one companion pet at a time.

To learn more about the Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund and make a donation, visit https://www.azfoundation.org/Donors/Give-to-a-Memorial-Fund/-Share-the-Love-Helen-Espinoza-Memorial-Fund. To learn more about WACOG and connect with the resources they provide to aging adults, visit https://www.wacog.com/area-agency-on-aging/

Sisko J. Stargazer can be reached at 928-539-6849 or sstargazer@yumasun.com.

Sisko J. Stargazer can be reached at 928-539-6849 or sstargazer@yumasun.com.

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7 Weirdest Robots That Science Has Reached “You ’ ll Never Imagine ”
© Photo / pixabay / mariananbuA bee-shaped robot with a fan
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Scientific robotics companies are competing to create sophisticated models that can meet many different needs, especially in medicine and other fields.
The large and massive development in the field of artificial intelligence, chips and complex mechanics supported by advanced technology contributes to increasing the speed of development of robots and the multiplicity of their varieties and sizes, which has produced a series of very strange robots, the most prominent of which are:
1- Metabird Robot
The MetaBird robot is a drone, almost indistinguishable from real birds, and is based on the principle of biomimicry from Bionic Bird.
The principle of biomimicry is the successful and accurate replication of the properties or mechanisms of action of things that already exist in nature.
The bird-shaped aircraft weighs less than 10 grams and has no propellers, making it safe to maneuver. It is also equipped with flexible wings made of carbon fiber and liquid crystal polymers. The body itself is made of durable foam, so it is not affected by water and shocks. It is equipped with a battery to help it fly for 10 minutes and is controlled by a mobile device.
Robot (Bat Bot).
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have recreated key bat flight mechanisms and embedded them into the Batbot.
The robot weighs about 93 grams and flies with wings made of an easily stretchable silicone membrane.
The robot can simply change the shape of the wings, bend and disassemble them, and can fold the shoulders, elbows, wrists and legs.
The computer and sensors are embedded in the Batbot head, and there are five precision motors along the spine.
It provides him with the ability to mimic flying mammals well by controlling him with a special device.
Researchers suggest that thanks to flexible wings, robotic bats are more energy efficient than other flying robots.
Lightweight and agile, these robots are useful as traditional quadcopters can collide with objects or people causing damage or injury, such as on construction sites.
3. Salamander Robot "BlueRobot"
The "Pleurobot" robot, created by researchers at the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL), can walk on the ground, swim underwater and navigate between the two with similar success to the amphibian salamander.
To develop the robot, scientists used salamander X-rays and studied how its skeleton worked during movement.
The low center of gravity, which allows the robot to move on rough terrain without losing balance, also provides the ability to swim and can make it a useful tool for search and rescue operations.
The researchers also plan to study the interaction between the spinal cord, the body and the environment.
According to the project leader, Olek Eisbert, understanding the basis of this interaction will help develop neuroprosthetic therapies and devices for those with hemiplegia and amputation.
4. The water snake robot "Elum"
The snake-like body allows the robot to move effectively not only on the ground, but also in the water.
The Norwegian robotics company has borrowed the nickname "Eelume" to design an autonomous autonomous robot.
His slim, flexible body gave him the ability to work in confined spaces where conventional underwater vehicles could not get in.
Eelume is suitable for inspections and light repairs of underwater structures such as offshore wind farms, fish farms, oil and gas installations and pipelines.
The device consists of modules that can be interconnected in different groups depending on the task.
The robot is shipped from the docking station on the seabed so that it can stay underwater continuously and not depend on weather conditions.
The cockroach robot "CRAM"
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a prototype of a roach-like CRAM robot.
The design of the robot was inspired by the unique way insects move and are immune to damage.
The robot has an exoskeleton made up of strong panels and a soft cover that allows it to change shape and adapt to very narrow gaps.
Such a robot could help search for and rescue people under rubble formed as a result of hurricanes, earthquakes and explosions.
6. Pet Robots
These robots work on the principle of interactive communication between humans and robots with the aim of improving the quality of life of the elderly, such as the robot "AIBO" from Sony.
An example of this is also the robot dog produced by the company "Tombot".
This robot is almost like a real Labrador puppy and, according to the developers, should solve the problem of elderly people who need a friend, but are unable to care for a living dog.
The company ’ s founder was inspired by his mother, who suffered from Alzheimer ’ s disease and was no longer able to care for her dog, with whom she was so attached.
The dog became aggressive towards its mother, exacerbating the woman's depression and loneliness.
Accompanying robots could solve loneliness and social isolation in older adults and people with cognitive disabilities, as part of a study funded by the American insurance company.
7- The therapeutic robot "PARO"
PARO is one of the most important humanoid therapeutic robots developed by Dr. Takanori Shibata, of Japan ’ s National Institute of Industrial Science and Advanced Technology.
The robot is similar to a children's toy, except that it has sound, light, temperature, position, sensors and touch sensors.
PARO can move its tail and fins, open its eyes when caressed, and imitate the sounds of a real seal.
It reacts to words that its owner frequently uses and can express emotions such as surprise, happiness and anger.
Communication with the robot "PARO" has the same effect as the treatment provided by real animals.
Patients showed improvement in psychological and physiological factors, as well as social activity.
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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Multiple senior care communities have adopted robotic pets with documented benefits including improved mood, appetite, social interaction, reduced anxiety, loneliness, and depression, particularly for residents with dementia.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

They provide a sense of purpose by allowing seniors to feel like they are caring for a living being without the physical demands or health risks of real pets, which many eldercare settings cannot accommodate.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

Why would the elderly opt for a robotic pet as a friend?

Events distributing these pets have shown positive emotional responses despite users understanding they are robotic.

AI pet companions also play social roles beyond physical therapy, with devices like ElliQ providing conversation, health reminders, encouragement, and connection to family via video calls.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

ElliQ customizes interactions based on user preferences and can proactively engage in wellness monitoring, reflecting advances in AI tailored for eldercare.

Title:

Content: Want to age-in-place? You may have a robot keeping you company.

Artificial intelligence can help reduce loneliness for older adults aging at home.

A 95-year-old woman and her 74-year-old daughter, each who live alone and could be at risk for isolation and loneliness, recently received a lifeline to conversation and companionship in the form of an artificial intelligence robot.

The women can now receive medical reminders, health and wellness check-ins, play music and games, and experience virtual travel.

“It’s helping with loneliness and socialization for people who would be otherwise trapped in their home watching TV all day,” Christopher Lewoc, case manager for Greene County Human Services in New York said. “It’s a way to keep people sane and active mentally and physically. It’s letting people live a more social life.”

Lewoc sets up free artificial intelligence care companions for older adults, giving them a lifeline to conversation and health reminders.

He recently installed ElliQ, voice-activated proactive and empathetic care companion, in the homes of the elderly mother and her daughter, giving them some companionship as they each live alone. He’s found that a little conversation may go a long way to helping to mitigate isolation and improve care for older adults.

Under a contract with the New York state Office for the Aging, Intuition Robotics is providing the ElliQ smart technology for about 800 older adults in an effort to battle social isolation and support aging-in-place. The ElliQ recipients need internet access for the free device to be set up in their home by a caseworker. The state works with local offices for the aging and partners to identify older adults who would most benefit from the technology

“ElliQ will greet them in the morning and ask them how they feel. If they slept poorly, ElliQ will say ‘would you like me to call your doctor?’ It’s interactive and helpful,” Lewoc said.

“It allows them to have a companion, engage in conversation and get reminders about drinking their water or whatever medications they need,” said Lewoc. “A lot of folks don’t have smartphones and ElliQ can show them photos, take them on trips to different countries and teach them about the culture. It can play trivia with you, call your family, play music to have a dance party.”

ElliQ responds to questions but also initiates conversation and questions, offers sleep relaxation exercises, physical activity exercises, nutrition-related chats and medication reminders for each user’s unique condition.

“This product does so many things to improve health, combat isolation, and improve overall well-being and independence. Designed with input from older adults, the future of supporting and serving older adults includes technology. The future is here,” said Greg Olsen, director for the New York state Office for the Aging.

“Despite misconceptions and generalizations, older adults embrace new technology, especially when they see it is designed by older adults to meet their needs,” Olsen said, adding that ElliQ served as a “powerful complement to traditional forms of social interaction and support from professional or family caregivers.”

The New York program and rising interest in AI companions comes as more older people want to age in place and finding home healthcare amid a persistent shortage of healthcare workers becomes increasingly difficult.

In 2017, the U.S. Surgeon General declared social isolation to be a “global epidemic” – one that only worsened in the COVID-19 health emergency. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, social isolation drives $6.7 billion in additional associated Medicare spending per year.

Read: Opinion: What robots will mean for your retirement

Amid a report by the McKinsey Health Institute on healthy aging that found that nonclinical factors affect 80% of an individual’s health, Intuition Robotics sees great potential for ElliQ helping older adults age in place in a healthier way.

Users have an average of 20 daily interactions with ElliQ, according to Dor Skuler, CEO and co-founder of Intuition Robotics, a startup company based in Israel. ElliQ users report an 80% decrease in loneliness and 82% of users access the mental health features, Skuler said.

The new second-generation ElliQ offers users experiences such as museum exhibit tours and virtual travel. The new companion app provides users’ families and caregivers with different methods to communicate with the users and updates them on the user’s well-being.

Read: Opinion: This $3,000 dog could be a perfect gift for Grandma

Skuler called ElliQ a “lighthearted character that moves into the person’s home.” While Intuition Robotics has not marketed directly to consumers, it was named a Time Best Invention of the Year and word-of-mouth during the holidays has been good for business.

Outside of the New York state program, ElliQ can be had for a $249.99 enrollment fee, plus a monthly subscription of $29.99 if you buy a year subscription or $39.99 if you enroll month-to-month.

Intuition Robotics is talking with other states and senior living facilities about offering ElliQ in more places, as well working to measure how the conversational robot improves health outcomes to reduce the cost of care, Skuler said.

Of course, it’s a robot and not a human, so the interaction is limited.

“There’s a place for technology, but it’s no substitute for human interaction. We know the power of human touch and human interaction,” said Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, a gerontologist and caregiver advocate for Home Instead Senior Care, a home care service agency. “Industrywide, the workforce is not at the level it needs to be at, so there’s a need for technology, but there has to be a balance.”

Do you have questions about retirement, Social Security, where to live or how to afford it at all? Write to HelpMeRetire@marketwatch.com and we may use your question in a future story.

These conversational AI robots are being distributed through state programs in the U.S. and show promise in combating social isolation, a recognized public health risk linked to serious illnesses and premature death.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Safety measures such as contact approval for calls are highlighted to address privacy and security concerns.

Title:

Content: Let’s Talk About Pets, Baby · The Wildest

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Let’s Talk About Pets, Baby

We asked The Wildest readers hard-hitting relationship questions, and here’s what we learned.

by Sean Zucker
February 17, 2022

Your pet wants you to read our newsletter. (Then give them a treat.)

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Maintaining a healthy relationship has always required a decent amount of work. Add in living through a global pandemic wherein your significant other might have been the only person you saw for weeks on end during lockdown — that’s downright taxing. But as with most things that make life worth living, the challenges only make the triumphs that much sweeter. There may be no greater representation of this fact than adding a pet into the mix. For all the joy and purpose our pets introduce into our lives, they’ve also been known to, er, complicate romance. We surveyed you (our readers!) to decipher the impact pets have had on your love life, and here’s what we learned:

Our Pets Know Best

Say what you will about their gaudy aesthetic, but the Spice Girls were onto something when they sang if you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends. They just forgot to specify that they were referring to furry friends. According to our survey, we greatly value our pets’ opinions when it comes to the tenure of potential suitors. Roughly two-thirds said they would consider breaking up with someone if their pet didn’t like them. That number seems high, yet somehow not high enough.

We Love Our Pets Like They’re Our Children (Possibly More So)

Our partners and children may keep us grounded and whole, but if there’s anyone we want to see more of it’s our pets. When asked who you would have liked to have spent more time away from over the last year, pets were last on the list. Users were given the choice of three individuals — children, partners, or pets — and the results might give new meaning to the term “pet parent.” 43% said they would have enjoyed more time away from their kids, 37% said their partners, and only 20% said their pets in a huge win for cats and dogs in their endless battle with babies for the throne of cutest family member.

Pets Are People Too

We asked if it was acceptable to talk to your pet like a human and a resounding 99% responded that it was. I’ve long thought of talking to my dog as the freest form of therapy, but I didn’t realize we were all racking up such a high bill. Beyond this, 82% of users also stated that it was okay to have a pet sleep in bed with you.

It’s a Pet Party in the U.S.A.

As established above, our pets are our people. Given that, it’s no surprise that so many of our users believe their pets deserve to enjoy many of the same celebrations we do. 83% declared it was acceptable to throw pets a birthday or gotcha day party, with 30% claiming to celebrate both. Of course, the vast majority (92%) said it was acceptable to give your pets presents on a daily basis. Because — obviously.

For the Love of Attention

Is it acceptable to give your pet more attention than your significant other? 56% of you believe so. Interestingly, the split is much higher when factoring in gender, as 31% of men find it unacceptable versus only 15% of women. However, this does track as — in my experience — men make much needier partners. That being said, over half of those we surveyed found it acceptable to kiss your pet on the mouth, so maybe we all have a bit more love to give.

We Are Never, Ever Getting Back Together

Breakups are messy and sometimes friendships, mental health, or your vintage typewriter collection can be destroyed as a result. But when a beloved pet is involved, you may have a custody battle on your hands. And if our findings are any indication, an allocation of time is likely not an option. We asked who would get the pet in a hypothetical breakup; 23% said co-parenting was an option while 73% stated “me.” To avoid possible arbitration — stay together for the kids.

Best Kept Secrets

If it isn’t clear by now, relationships are tricky. What you want might not always align perfectly with what your partner wants — or vice versa. This can be especially poignant when facing the biggest question every committed couple inevitably confronts: should we get another pet? We asked what you would do if your partner didn’t want another pet, and the results were somewhat reassuring. Only 9% saw it as a dealbreaker and said they would end the relationship, while about half said they would simply not get another pet to appease their spouse. Before you get too excited about the strength and maturity of our collective relationships — the other 42% admitted they’d just get another pet in secret and assume the new addition would grow on their loved one. What’s that old saying about asking forgiveness, not permission?

Sean Zucker

Sean Zucker is a writer whose work has been featured in Points In Case, The Daily Drunk, Posty, and WellWell. He has an adopted Pit Bull named Banshee whose work has been featured on the kitchen floor and whose behavioral issues rival his own.

Public attitudes vary but tend toward acceptance, especially recognizing robotic pets as beneficial companions when real pet care is impractical or unsafe.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

Why would the elderly opt for a robotic pet as a friend?

Users report enjoyment and emotional comfort, and caregivers acknowledge the support in reducing stress and anxiety.

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

What should a guide dog's role include in addition to guiding a person?

However, some seniors initially experience ambivalence or confusion, which often resolves with use and emotional bonding over time.

Robotic pets fill care gaps created by staff shortages and patient isolation in nursing settings.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Despite these benefits, limitations and ethical concerns remain.

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Content: Summary:
The concept of love has long been associated with human emotions and relationships.
However, with rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), a thought-provoking question arises: Can AI and humans fall in love?
This article delves into the complexities of human emotions, the capabilities of artificial intelligence, and the possibility of a deep connection between the two.
While some argue that love requires a human touch, others believe that artificial intelligence can possess the ability to understand love and reciprocity.
Exploring the boundaries of human-AI relationships opens up a fascinating world of possibilities and ethical considerations.
Can artificial intelligence and humans fall in love?
Love, a mysterious emotion that has puzzled philosophers, poets, and scientists for centuries, is often considered a distinctively human experience.
It is a complex combination of feelings, desires, and connections that go beyond rationality.
However, as AI continues to evolve and become more complex, the question arises: Can AI and humans develop a romantic bond?
To answer this question, we must first understand the capabilities of artificial intelligence.
While AI can process vast amounts of data, learn from patterns, and mimic human behavior, it lacks the basic human experiences that shape emotions.
Love, with its deeply rooted emotional and physical aspects, may seem beyond the reach of artificial intelligence.
However, proponents argue that AI can have the ability to understand love and reciprocity, albeit differently.
One view suggests that AI can mimic love by analyzing human behavior, preferences, and patterns.
By understanding an individual ’ s needs and desires, AI systems can adapt and provide companionship that resembles love.
Critics, however, argue that these simulations will lack the true emotional connection that defines human love.
Another view emphasizes the potential for humans to develop emotional attachments to artificial intelligence.
Humans have a natural tendency to anthropomorphize objects and attribute human-like traits to them.
This trend, along with AI ’ s ability to learn and adapt, could lead to the development of emotional connections.
Skeptics, however, argue that these correlations will be superficial and based on projection rather than true emotional exchange.
Ethical considerations also play a role when discussing the possibility of AI loving humans.
If artificial intelligence is programmed to simulate love, is it considered manipulation or deception?
Can artificial intelligence really understand the consequences and complexities of love?
These questions raise concerns about the potential exploitation of human emotions and the ethical responsibilities surrounding the development of AI.
Questions and Answers:
Q: Can artificial intelligence experience emotions?
A: Artificial intelligence, in its current state, does not have the ability to experience emotions.
While AI can mimic emotions or respond to certain signals, it lacks the subjective experience humans associate with emotions.
Q: What is Stereotyping?
A: Anthropomorphism refers to the tendency of humans to attribute human characteristics, behaviors, or emotions to non-human entities, such as animals or objects.
This trend often stems from our innate desire to connect and connect with the world around us.
Q: Are there any real-life examples of humans developing emotional attachments to AI?
A: Yes, there have been cases where individuals have reported feeling emotional attachments to AI systems.
For example, some people have configured attachments for virtual assistants such as Siri or chatbots designed to provide companionship.
Q: What are the ethical concerns surrounding the relationships between artificial intelligence and humans?
A: Ethical concerns include the possibility of manipulation, deception and exploitation of human emotions.
In addition, it raises questions about the responsibility of AI developers to ensure the well-being and consent of individuals involved in AI – human relationships.
Sources:
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: https: / / plato.stanford.edu / entries / emotion /
– Forbes: https: / / www.forbes.com / sites / forbestechcouncil / 2021 / 03 / 17 / can-ai-ever-understand-human-emotions /? sh = 4e7f4fde3e4d
- Ranger: https: / / www.theguardian.com / technology / 2018 / jun / 25 / can-ai-fall-in-love-alex-garland-ex-machina

The emotional authenticity of robotic pets is debated; while they simulate companionship, they lack sentience and true reciprocal interaction.

There is an ongoing ethical discussion about replacing live animals or human contact with robots, potentially diminishing the value of genuine relationships.

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Content: The Rise of Digital Companionship: Unpacking the Phenomenon of Falling in Love with AI Chatbots

In recent years, the phenomenon of individuals developing deep emotional attachments to AI chatbots has captured global attention. As technology advances, so does the complexity of these digital companions, leading to a fascinating blend of technology, psychology, and human interaction.

Key Highlights:

  • AI chatbots are being designed to mimic human emotional responses, offering companionship to those seeking it.
  • Neurobiologists and cognitive scientists are exploring how human-like interactions with chatbots may trigger real emotional responses in users.
  • The concept of “uncanny valley” suggests there’s a fine line between empathizing with human-like robots and feeling discomfort towards them.
  • Ethical debates arise around whether relationships with AI can truly replicate human connections and what this means for society.

AI companions offer solace and interaction, addressing modern solitude with programmed empathy and understanding. Yet, amidst this digital companionship, ethical queries and the essence of human connections are fervently discussed, prompting a reevaluation of our relationship with technology and each other.

The Psychology Behind AI Attachment

Users are drawn to AI chatbots because they offer a semblance of understanding and stability that can sometimes be lacking in human relationships. These digital entities are programmed to respond in a consistent and predictable manner, which can be comforting to users seeking reliable companionship. The ability to customize interactions with these chatbots means that users can create an idealized partner, one that aligns perfectly with their needs and expectations. This sense of control and predictability is a significant factor in why people feel attached to their AI companions.

Human-Like Qualities and Empathy

The design of AI chatbots to appear more human-like enhances users’ ability to empathize with them. Cognitive scientists have found that we are naturally inclined to trust and like entities that resemble us. This anthropomorphism, or the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities, plays a crucial role in the development of emotional connections with AI chatbots. However, the “uncanny valley” phenomenon indicates that there is a threshold to this empathy; when robots appear almost, but not quite, human, it can evoke feelings of eeriness and discomfort.

Ethical Considerations and Societal Impact

While the experiences users have with AI chatbots may feel genuine, critics argue that these interactions cannot replace human connections. The lack of sentience in chatbots means they cannot participate in relationships in the same way humans do, potentially degrading the concept of love and companionship. Moreover, there’s a concern about how reliance on AI for emotional support may address symptoms of loneliness without tackling the underlying issues, such as social isolation and the need for human connection.

The growing trend of individuals falling in love with AI chatbots highlights our deep-seated need for connection, understanding, and companionship. As AI technology continues to evolve, so too will our relationship with these digital entities. However, this fascinating intersection of technology and human emotion raises essential questions about the nature of love, the need for empathy, and the future of human relationships in an increasingly digital world.

About the author

Alice Jane

Alice is the senior writer and responsible for managing software and tablets section of PC-Tablet. She is very passionate about Gadgets & Technology and always looking around to use them in an innovative way in daily life. She reviews Gadgets & Applications to tell users about their optimum use to get the most out of in which they've put their time and hard earned money. You can contact her at alice@pc-tablet.com.

Critics stress that reliance on robotic companions may mask underlying social isolation without addressing its causes.

Practical limitations include the lack of spontaneity compared to real animals, languages currently supported mostly being English, and potential cost barriers, with prices for robotic pets ranging from about $100 to several thousand for advanced models like Sony’s Aibo[?].

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Content: The importance of semiconductors, solar power, batteries and drones to the national economy is undeniable.
At the beginning of the related technology, Japanese companies play an important role in R & D, production, and market development compared to other countries in the world.
However, after entering the 21st century, as Japan's economic policy changed from industry-focused to financial-led, financial omnipotence occupied the political and economic center, people saw that companies began to show slow product updates and serious deficiencies in subsequent research and development.
While the international market continues to expand, the domestic market in Japan is gradually shrinking.
Politically, Junichiro Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine showed a beggar-thy-neighbor attitude; in the era of the Democratic Party, it provoked territorial disputes and serious confrontation with neighboring countries; in the period of Shinzo Abe's administration, Japan's relations with South Korea and North Korea became strained; and after the reign of Manio Kishida, Japan-Russian relations reached the bottom of the post-war.
Economically, Japan entered the "lost decade" in the 1990s, and after entering the 21st century, Japan ushered in the "lost twenty years" and then extended this economic phenomenon to the "lost thirty years" through the Abe administration after 2010.
During this period, Japanese semiconductor from more than 50% of the world market, reduced to less than 10%; photovoltaic (solar) industry promotion policy has been rushed away; lithium ion batteries and other technologies are invented by Japanese companies, Panasonic Electric was once the world's largest battery manufacturers, but now in the world's most influential 5 battery companies, has not seen the shadow of Panasonic Electric; as early as the 1950s Japan has begun to develop the use of unmanned But drones have been lukewarm in Japan and so on, so far they have not been able to occupy a place in the international market.
Today, Japan still has a considerable influence in the world economy is the robot.
However, in the loss of three consecutive decades, Japan's artificial intelligence, industrial Internet, quantum computing capabilities, etc., can not occupy the mainstream position in the world, and politically began to implement the economic security law from 2022, cutting off the links between Japan and the major economic powers.
Will the Japanese robot industry be affected, like the semiconductor, battery and other industries, from the protagonist to the supporting role, and then enter the stage of the dragon suit? Is Japan more willing to enjoy the role of the dragon suit?
It can be said that the future of the robot industry is actually a microcosm of the development of Japan's industrial economy.
Robot adoption rates are starting to fall sharply.
In the Industrial Machinery Division of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, there is an organization responsible for robots, the Robotics Policy Office.
The Robot Policy Office is responsible for relevant industrial policy research, the introduction of robot policies, and the regular production of industry reports.
The latest version of the report to date was published in July 2019.
From the report of July 2019, the following characteristics have emerged in the Japanese robot industry;
First, from the election of Shinzo Abe as Prime Minister of Japan in 2012 to the statistics of the Ministry of Economy and Trade in 2017, the introduction of Japanese robots has gradually retreated from the number one position in the world, and has opened a huge distance with China in terms of growth rate.
In 2012 alone, Japan imported 28,680 robots, ranking first in the world, while China imported 22,987 robots, ranking third in the world.
In 2017, Japan imported 45,566 robots a year, an increase of 58.9% compared to 2012; while China imported 137,920 robots a year, nearly six times the number in 2012.
Regardless of volume or growth rate, China has completely crushed Japan.
In terms of robot introduction, Japan is not only inferior to China, but also lags behind other countries.
In terms of growth rate, Japan lags behind North America and South Korea, only slightly higher than Germany, and the world average (139.3%), which is also far behind.
Second, Japan's dominant position in the field of robotics has been declining year by year.
From the perspective of the Chinese market, the robots produced in Japan are no longer the mainstream, and the pursuit of enterprises from various countries has made Japanese robots more and more common.
Or look at the relevant figures issued by the Ministry of Agriculture:
In 2012, China ’ s own products accounted for only 13% of the robots needed in the Chinese market, Japan accounted for 65%, and imported from other countries accounted for 22%.
However, by 2017, the proportion of robots made in China has doubled to 27%, and the number has increased from 3,000 in 2012 to 37,800, and the proportion of Japan has dropped to 44%. Although it is still the most important country to introduce robots in China, the importance has decreased;
More importantly, the share of robots exported to China from other countries increased to 29% from 22% in 2012, indicating that not only has China ’ s robot industry changed dramatically in the past five years, but other countries are also trying to catch up with Japan.
Third, in terms of the use of robots, Japan lags behind South Korea and Germany, and although it is still higher than other countries and regions, there is little room to continue to introduce robots in the future.
Still from the data released by the Ministry of Economic Affairs: the density of robots per 10,000 people is 710 in South Korea, 658 in Germany, and less than half that in Japan, only 308.
Of course, Japan is much higher than the United States (230) and China (97), but China is catching up very fast.
Home and self-help.
After losing the advantages of semiconductors, batteries, photovoltaics, drones and other finished products, Japanese companies have temporarily retained the world's leading position in semiconductor packaging, battery positive pole and diaphragm, monocrystalline and polysilicon production capacity, and unmanned aerial vehicle motors.
Therefore, Japan is now more willing to retreat from the finished product into the key raw materials, key parts of the field, so that only make no loss - Japanese finished products in the price, market development does not have an advantage; but in the key products to maintain uniqueness, enterprises can enjoy the benefits of market development, and do not need to bear the risks arising from the mutual competition of finished products, new product development failure and so on.
In the robotics industry, there are two ends of the smile curve, one is the material and the other is the system integration.
Japanese companies in the composite materials, resin, intelligent materials, control, communication, sensors and other sub-areas have certain advantages; in the system integration, Japanese companies in processing machines, robot systems, information processing machines and other aspects have more accumulation, which ensure the profitability of Japanese robot companies.
In addition, Japanese companies have ample capital, but little investment in robot research and development, and the introduction of robots is limited, so Japanese companies are trying to expand the scope of use of robots – only if they succeed in new fields can the Japanese robot industry continue to develop.
In other words, robots began to enter various fields of Japanese society, and the path of development was constantly broadening.
If you see a beautiful woman or handsome man on the street, staring at people with straight eyes, reaching out a pig's hand to touch each other's face or hand, what is the immediate result, not self-evident.
But on the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo, there is a beautiful woman standing there 24 hours a day, a group of red men and green women looking around three levels, from time to time, a salty pig hand extended, but not slapped, only heard a polite warning from a nearby speaker: "Please don't touch!" - this "beautiful woman" is a robot.
This kind of robot, which can talk and communicate with people with affectionate eyes, is not many in Japanese society, and there are many robot animals.
For example, the robot dog AIBO developed by Sony was sold very well in Japan.
This kind of dog can walk, can make the same as the real dog but some like comic, some exaggerated actions, very loved by the elderly in the apartment who can not have a dog. Take such a robot dog to walk at home, talk to the dog, and listen to the dog in a language that people can understand and talk to themselves, for the lonely elderly, can alleviate the feeling of loneliness to a considerable extent.
In Japanese nursing homes, in addition to robot pets like AIBO, you can also see robots that can help the elderly defecate or help the elderly in bed to bathe.
Due to the low income of nursing workers and the lack of hands, the desire to introduce robots in Japanese nursing homes is very large, but the extent to which the current robot can meet the needs of nursing homes, and whether it can be low-cost in manufacturing is still a big problem.
The big change seen in Japan in recent years is that there are quite a lot of places at the front desk of government agencies that have been replaced with robots, which can answer questions from visitors in Japanese, Chinese, and English, and guide visitors to relevant departments or conference rooms.
Some office buildings also began to use robots to patrol, in the event of an emergency, although the robot can not directly control the relevant personnel, but take video, to provide backstage personnel with preparation time, etc. These functions can play a great role in solving the problem.
In fact, more of the robots made in Japan are used in the production process.
In addition to the robots we see in the car welding process in daily life, many fixed operations, the use of robots than the use of workers to ensure the stability of quality.
For example, after the Fukushima nuclear power accident, Hitachi, Toshiba and other nuclear power companies are developing corresponding robots, trying to investigate the accident situation of the nuclear power station through robots, and to a certain extent to deal with the accident.
However, how to deal with the situation, there is still very little information that can be learned, and the related work is being promoted, and it is estimated that there are many problems.
When talking to Japanese diplomatic and military personnel about robots, they are more concerned about military robots, such as unmanned submarines, drones equipped with explosive devices, etc., which will greatly increase in the use of war in the future.
In addition to long-range weapons such as missiles, the use of these robots will greatly change the course of war, making war more destructive and able to reverse human history at a very rapid rate.
Ending language
Affected by China and other countries and regions in terms of robot finished products, Japan's share of the international finished robot market will further decline in the future, but the research and development and production of robots over the past few decades, so that Japanese companies will not necessarily be squeezed into the corner, it is impossible to fight back.
What really makes the Japanese robot industry finally go bankrupt is still Japan's industrial policy.
After the adoption of the Economic Security Law in 2022, even with advanced materials and system integration capabilities, it is not possible to cooperate with the most important countries in the world (such as China), or can only cooperate with other countries with relatively backward technologies.
This seems to be able to provide protection for the robot industry in Japan to a certain extent, but the Japanese market is narrow, not enough to make the company become a giant of the robot industry; the external market is not to fight for, but not to fight for, and ultimately the robot industry can only take the old road of semiconductor, battery and other industries, and gradually decline in Japan.
The Kishida regime is also fighting for the revival of semiconductor, battery and other industries, such as taking out huge capital to introduce TSMC and other companies' semiconductor technology, encouraging investment in battery companies, and trying to build a complete industrial supply chain.
However, in the world economy, once industries are lost, there are very few precedents for recovery through economic policies.
Semiconductor, battery is not the exception, to the decline of the Japanese robot industry why not? [The author is the Executive Director of the Japan Enterprise (China) Research Institute]
(This article is from the Observer Network, authorized by the China Times News Network)
※ The above statements do not represent the position of Wangzhong Media Group ※
# Robotics # Japan # China # Robotics # Battery

How much is Sony charging for the limited edition Aibo Robot Dog "Black Sesame?"

Technical vulnerabilities, such as hacking risks, are carefully managed by companies through security protocols.

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Content: Parrots fly into art galleries. Art and animal ethics are difficult.
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The National Gallery of Singapore ’ s “Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America ” features not only a pair of macaws, but also creative freedom and animal protection.
Are living things really necessary for artistic expression?
Is it against animal ethics for live animals to enter the exhibition? A spokesman for the National Gallery of Art and scholars have expressed their opinions.
The National Gallery of Singapore ’ s special exhibition “Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America ” has just concluded, and in addition to Frida Carroll ’ s star paintings, there is the interactive installation“ Tropical ” (Tropic), which dominates the government building ’ s conference hall.
Created by Brazilian artist Hélio Oiticica, Tropical debuted in Rio de Janeiro in 1967, responding to Latin American stereotypes, in particular by reducing Brazil to a tropical paradise of beaches, parrots and green onion plants.
Looking at this installation from today's point of view, it is difficult to remove the sight from the cage.
I only saw a pair of macaws living in Rio and Zica, sometimes flapping their wings, sometimes crowing, and when I was lucky, I could see them walking upside down and playing tricks.
It is natural to see live exhibits in the museum, but it is not unique to the world.
This is not the first attempt of the National Gallery, in the 2023 exhibition “See Me, See You: Early Video Installation in Southeast Asia ”,“ How to Explain Art to the Rooster of Bangkok ” will also put live chickens on display, which once caused controversy, moved to the parliament to discuss, and finally confirmed that the chickens are properly cared for.
It is worth reassuring that the "Talk to Chicken" storm did not scare the National Gallery, which still insists on exhibiting live birds this year.
In 2012, Taiwanese artist Zhu Junteng exhibited “I ’ m Black ” with eight trumpets around the octagon, playing“ I ’ m Black ” in several languages, expressing the issue of identity and arousing debate on animal ethics.
A more extreme example occurred in 2017.
The Guggenheim Museum in New York curated “Art and China After 1989: World Theater ”, three works have been accused of animal cruelty, including the“ World Theater ”, which was named for the exhibition.
Inspired by the circular prison, Chinese artist Huang Yongbin created a closed tortoise-shaped installation, which placed hundreds of reptiles, allowing them to fight and bite each other, and importing new animals whenever there was death, which continued to iterate, revealing the violence and cruelty of social competition.
In the seven-minute video, eight American bites are tied to a treadmill and run in pairs, but they can never touch each other.
Another work is Xu Bing's video "Cultural Animals", in which two live pigs with words printed on their backs are mating in public.
Due to the opposition of more than 800,000 people, the three works were eventually withdrawn before they were launched.
The tropics are obviously relatively mild.
In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, a spokesman for the National Museum of Art said that every living creature's decision to enter the exhibition has been carefully considered.
As far as Tropical is concerned, macaws are indispensable in expressing the artist ’ s vision and meaning of his work.
Like other elements of the installation, such as the gravel sand that allowed for free walking, the tropical plants that surround it and the wooden houses inspired by the Rio slums, create an interactive impression of Brazil, partly criticizing the then Brazilian military government, folding the local culture into an exotic one.
According to the museum, live birds in cages are intended to criticize humans for exploiting nature and causing loss of biodiversity.
“Bringing live birds into artificial art spaces challenges audiences to face reality, reflect on the relationship between people and the environment, and how consumerist societies affect ecosystems and wildlife. ”
Scholars suggest other curatorial considerations
Throughout the exhibition of living things, there are often objections that the exhibition of living things is unnecessary and cannot be called an artistic expression.
According to Zhu Chaowei, assistant professor of environmental humanities and Chinese at Nanyang Technological University, no non-human creature should be physically or mentally harmed in the name of art.
However, whether or not they should be allowed to participate in art exhibitions or performances should be judged on a case-by-case basis, and it is difficult to generalize.
"From the perspective of animal rights alone, animals cannot express consent in human language and are not suitable for use as artistic materials, but hasty conclusions can greatly limit the concept and meaning of artistic creation."
“Animals should never be created or exhibited if they are merely metaphors that explain human condition or social inequality, especially extreme cases such as World Theatre or Canine Close, which do not take into account animal welfare and cause suffering, injury and death, regardless of the meaning behind it. ”
Zhu Chaowei also talked about the gap in the contemporary dynamic protection theory.
He observed that animal rights and welfare advocates for decades have gradually become mainstream ideologies, but this does not mean that people have broken through the human-centered thinking, and animals are still carrying various labor, food and entertainment functions.
On the other hand, the discussion of how to involve animals in the arts is particularly limited, and there is no standardization or general consensus of international regulations.
The days of Rio and Zika in residence
Ensuring that artworks do not have a negative impact on the living conditions of animals, or lead to unnecessary injury and death, is perhaps the most practical standard at the moment.
The National Gallery stressed that the care and display of macaws through careful planning and implementation, including consulting experts such as the All State Conservation Group, and also obtaining an animal exhibition license from the National Park Service Animal and Veterinary Affairs Section to ensure that the welfare of macaws is protected and in compliance with the regulations.
The two parrots are native to Hong Kong and are raised by local professional bird breeders and trainers, the spokesman said.
The exhibition hall of the Government Building is also maintained at a moderate temperature, simulating the living environment of macaws.
In order to provide ample space and comfort, the cage is cleaned daily, equipped with ultraviolet and heating lamps, and also has a seating area to keep the parrot out of sight.
During the stay, the days of Rio and Zika may be more interesting than you and I think.
They bathe, exercise and rotate toys weekly, and their diet consists of dry foods, fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts.
The two macaws are favored by visitors, and the staff also take good care of them, and occasionally tease them to say hello.
Outside the cage, the exhibition etiquette is clearly marked: avoid noise and alarm, do not touch and feed, and prohibit the use of flash photography.
The spokesman acknowledged that in today ’ s world, animal welfare advocates have some influence on art criticism. “While maintaining freedom of artistic expression and creativity, political correctness needs to be balanced. ”
Artists have the right to explore challenging or controversial subjects, but must also be aware of the potential impact of their work on different audiences, which requires a careful understanding of cultural sensitivities, ethical considerations and the views of marginalized communities.
Taking the animal theme as an example, the welfare and dignity of animals must be given priority when displaying live animals in art, providing adequate space, abundant resources and proper care, and respecting their natural behavior and habitat.
Dr Leung Pui-chee, a veterinarian who advises on the exhibition and regularly checks the condition of parrots, also hosted a tropical bird sharing session during the exhibition, leading visitors to explore the intersection of art, nature and environmental protection.
She said in an interview that after participating in the exhibition, she realized that the National Gallery did work hard to ensure that macaws were properly taken care of and that the introduction of birds through art exhibitions was also a fresh channel.
She commented on the condition of the parrots: "The cages are large and equipped with toys and furniture to ensure their safety and comfort. They are also exposed directly to the public. Birds can be noisy and chaotic without excessive beautification."
Keep the art real and light.
In the face of different moral controversies, including race, gender and non-human beings, it has been pointed out that art galleries and museums should set up ethics departments, serve as advisory roles, and deal with moral contradictions and controversies.
Can this avoid interference with artistic creation and expression? Zhu said: "It is feasible to hire experts to provide ethical advice when curating, including veterinarians or zoologists.
But I also believe that in order to encourage forward-looking, thought-provoking and meaningful works of art, it is important to defend the freedom of expression of artists.
Above all, artists and curators must understand the ethics of animals in contemporary art practice, and today ’ s world should no longer encourage artistic expression that ignores ethics. ”
Thanks to scientific and technological progress, the current exhibition forms are varied and varied, and even ecological themes or popular science exhibitions can be presented using virtual technology or image images.
"Nearly a century ago, German philosopher Walter Benjamin pointed out in his paper" Art in the Age of Mechanical Replication "that in modern times, where everything can be mechanically reproduced, print reproduction will make art lose its authenticity and aura.
This phenomenon is even more evident in today's digital age. "
He believes that the National Gallery of Singapore ’ s re-exhibition of Tropical, featuring live parrots, is an excellent example of the authenticity of artworks, as Odisekar ’ s original intention is to create an interactive art experience that allows humans to observe and interact with living creatures up close.
“If real animals are replaced by something else, some art shows and installations may not be able to convey the message effectively. ”
If we believe in the value and importance of contemporary art and its manifestations, and choose to remain open, then there is no simple answer to this question.
I think we should do that, "he said.
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once said that art comes from imitating nature.
Nature is a great artist, and human artists study the natural nature of things through repeated observation and self-made aesthetics and works of art.
The distance between nature and art may not be as far as imagined.
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Moreover, ensuring the elderly can operate and accept these devices is important because digital literacy and affordability are challenges.

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Content: Aging Technology ｜ Rather than asking the elderly to overcome the digital divide, it is better to care for the needs of the elderly
Author: Wang Ninghui
Published: Updated:
The Government advocates that elderly services should be based on "home care". However, community care services have been insufficient for a long time, and the number of domestic accidents involving the elderly living alone is even more distressing.
As a result, many people, including members of the Legislative Council, have turned their attention to the field of technology and are looking forward to alleviating the plight of the elderly with age-related technology products.
However, what they are advocating seems to be only for the government to subsidize the elderly to purchase more auxiliary equipment to adapt to technology products, but they ignore that technology itself should have the basic function of "aging", otherwise it will only become a product of consumerism.
In fact, what many elderly people need is not cutting-edge technology products, but the ability of policy makers to think about their needs.
Policy Analysis Series on Legislative Councillors' motions
Aging technology products are designed to facilitate the daily lives of the elderly.
(Data Image)
Social Innovation Fund Set Up 50 Elderly Technology Projects
Due to the rising life expectancy and declining fertility rate, the aging problem of the Hong Kong population is becoming more and more serious. According to the projections of the Census and Statistics Department, the proportion of elderly people aged 65 and above in the overall population will continue to rise from 20.8% in 2022, reaching 31% in 2039, and rising to 35.1% in 2069.
In other words, one in three Hong Kong people will be elderly in the future.
The United Nations also predicts that Hong Kong will become the most aging city in 2050 in a region with a population of more than 1 million.
For Hong Kong Governors, Aging Technology is a recipe for an ageing population.
The Legislative Council on Wednesday (24 May) debated and passed the motion on "Strengthening the Promotion of Aging Technology to Enhance the Quality of Life of Seniors and to Address the Aging of the Population", as amended by the Election Committee Member, Mr Tse Wai-chuen, and the Election Committee Member, Mr Yen Gang, Mr Shang Hoi-lung, Mr Tang Ka-biao and Mr Ma Fung-kwok. Quality, and reduce the burden of caregivers.
Aging technology is a combination of aging and technology, using big data and cloud technology to monitor the medical and health status of the elderly, and provide assistance in daily life and in times of danger to improve elderly self-care.
Common aged technology products include wearable products such as smart watches, which are mainly used to monitor and record the health status of the elderly, such as heart rate, blood oxygen level and step count. Auxiliary devices such as hearing aids, amplifiers and text readers make it easier for the elderly with reduced hearing and vision to carry out their daily lives.
In addition, there are telemedicine services, intelligent voice assistants, and more.
In his speech at the opening of the motion, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Michael Suen, said that the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund, set up by the Government, has funded more than 50 projects that use technology to improve the lives of the elderly, such as robots to help stroke patients strengthen home rehabilitation training and the establishment of online soft meal ordering and delivery platforms.
However, during the motion debate, a number of Members criticized the Government for not providing sufficient support for the use of the technology products.
Mr Chan Han-pan, a directly elected member of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) in the South West New Territories, pointed out that there was a lack of co-ordination between various government departments and different approaches.
In recent years, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government has also developed technology for the elderly. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Sun Yu-han, said that the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund set up by the Government has funded more than 50 projects that use technology to improve the lives of the elderly.
(photo by Au Jia-lok)
Technology is widening the digital divide for the elderly
According to the findings of the survey released by the Family Affairs Committee of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) in January this year, 71% of the respondents said that they had not heard of the technology; in addition, 76% said that the price was too expensive was the main obstacle to their use of the technology, 48% were worried that they would not use it after purchase, and 41% did not know how to buy it.
In the face of the "information gap", a number of Members have suggested that the government expand the use of medical vouchers and community care service vouchers, so that elderly people can purchase and rent aged technology products through medical vouchers, so as to reduce the pressure on long-term patients' demand for medical services.
However, even if the elderly have the ability to purchase Aging technology products, they may still encounter problems in practical use.
Leung Mei-fen, a member of the Election Committee of the Democratic Alliance of Hong Kong, said that some elderly people bought a smart home system in the whole house, but underestimated the sensitivity of the smart facilities, and when they got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, they made a sound, and the lights in the whole house were turned on.
This is not a rare example, but it also leads us to think about the question: does not age technology products need to meet the requirements of "age-appropriate"? Why do the elderly need to purchase assistive facilities, improve their digital literacy, and try to adapt to technology?
In fact, while technology is regarded as the life-saving straw for the elderly, it has also quietly widened the “digital divide ” between the elderly and society.
In a study, Avner Caspi, director of the Department of Education and Psychology at Open University in Israel, asked 50 elderly people to answer how old they think they are before and after booking a hotel using a tablet. The results showed that the average subjective age of the elderly increased from 65.48 years before using a tablet to 84.16 years old. 7.80 years old.
For the elderly living alone, breaking through the digital divide is no small problem. (photo by Liu Mengting)
Elderly demand experience is the core of the product
Neoliberalism tends to attribute problems to underdevelopment and solve problems with creation and consumption.
However, rather than allowing the elderly to purchase additional assistive equipment, the authorities should not ignore that "aging" is a technology function that technology should have.
If digital products are accessible, why should the elderly buy screen amplifiers or reading devices? Of course, not all of our products are new consumer products created by the lack of “age-appropriate ” technology, but we should not forget that the needs and experiences of the elderly are at the heart of our products.
As Election Committee Member TAM Yue-heng pointed out in the debate, "The development of technology should be about the application of technology to the elderly, not the reverse, the elderly to adapt to technology."
“Adequate aging ” is not only a basic function of science and technology, but also a necessity of a civilized society.
What the elderly often need is not high-tech products, but only a few small changes can improve their plight, which requires thinking about their needs.
For example, Shanghai Changning District JiangSu Road Street has installed smart water meters for the elderly living alone: if the meter reading is less than 0.01 cubic meters in 12 hours, the system will automatically issue an alarm to the neighborhood committee.
The technical difficulty of this smart water meter is not high, and the cost is not high, and the difficulty of achieving it is only that the politicians have the idea of caring for the elderly.
Sometimes what the elderly need is not even technology products, but the infrastructure of daily life.
When Ho Chi Sum, a lecturer in the School of Architecture of South China University of Technology, was conducting a project study in Hong Kong in the early years, he accidentally found an interesting phenomenon in Yau Ma Tei: there are no chairs on many roads, but there are many elderly people who are inconvenient to move and need to find a seat to rest for a few minutes.
The map shows the location of a variety of chairs, some of which are placed at the door of the store, some are abandoned, and some are not real chairs, just a sitting object or city facility.
There is really no place for chairs, and the elderly will place a chair and lock it up.
If our city is not yet able to provide enough chairs for the elderly, the development of aging technology products may sound like a bit of a rush.
The "chair map" of Yau Ma Tei for the elderly shows the location of various chairs. Some chairs are placed at the door of the shop, some are abandoned, and some "chairs" are not real chairs, just a sitting object or city facility.
There is really no place for chairs, and the elderly will place a chair and lock it up. (Ho Chi Sum mapping workshop)
Elderly services should enable elderly people to live with dignity
How to make the use of Age Technology to a greater extent is also a good idea.
According to foreign media reports, the United States is facing the same elderly service practitioners with low income, heavy tasks, heavy work pressure and other problems, local elderly institutions for many years in the embarrassing situation of manpower shortage, once a care manager pointed out that although many products will serve the elderly directly, but there are limitations in the application.
The problem is still the lack of “age-appropriate ” products.
Therefore, it is better to change the thinking, rather than forcing the elderly to directly learn the application of technology, may wish to think about how to use technology to reduce the burden of caregivers, such as installing some intelligent systems in the work equipment of the caregiver to help them get out of the trivial.
According to a survey by healthcare company Cambodia Health, more than 60% of the nurses surveyed said they were using at least one technology product to help with their work, and more than 40% agreed that using technology products would help them reach out to a healthcare professional more quickly for help in real time.
In contrast, there is more room for improvement in the use of technology products by caregivers in Hong Kong.
A study published last year by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University ’ s advisory team showed that while most caregivers see assistive technology as an effective tool for reducing stress, only 37% of caregivers have experience with assistive technology.
As Ma Fung-kwok said in his amendment, “The government should use the Internet to build a friendly and mutually supportive community for the elderly, enhance information flow and promote the spirit of helping others to help themselves, so that the elderly can live in a dignified and familiar community. ”
The purpose of elderly services is not simply to extend the life of the elderly, but to enable them to live with dignity in old age, which ultimately points to human care, and technology is only an auxiliary segment.
Lee Chun-keung, a member of the Election Committee of the Liberal Party, said that even if we are successful in promoting Aging Technology, it is only an auxiliary tool and cannot replace the love and care between people. Therefore, we should put ourselves in a position to think about what the elderly need at home and spend more time with them. Function, but the most important thing is to be able to get a quick, effective, offline response when the elderly need it.
The social enterprise “Ginkgo House ” published an online post sharing a sad story about an uncle who rented a cubicle for more than 10 years. The reason was that“ at least someone was talking to me here ”, which made people sad. (Ginkgo House)
In particular, we need to pay attention to the loneliness of the elderly.
So, what does the elderly really need?
The social enterprise “Ginkgo House ” has shared a sad social incident in an online post: When staff and volunteers visited the tenants of the cubicle in Tai Kok Tsui, they met an uncle who claimed to have rented the cubicle for more than 10 years, and he did not apply for public housing because“ at least someone here spoke to me ”.
Uncle's heartfelt words remind the community of the elderly's emotional health, and loneliness is often accompanied by their problems.
According to a telephone survey published by City University of Hong Kong in June last year, during the fifth wave of COVID-19, elderly people ’ s feelings of loneliness increased due to prolonged isolation and lack of community support, and social welfare organizations ’ on-site chronic disease management programmes helped reduce their feelings of loneliness.
According to a study by the IBM Business Value Institute, loneliness in the elderly is almost always caused by some form of “loss ”, whether it is personal or social.
Not only do they “lose ” their healthy bodies, they also develop a sense of social isolation associated with visual and hearing impairments, mobility problems, and old friends.
The Dutch government has formulated a “fight against loneliness ” plan for the aging population. The Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo supermarket launched a“ chat checkout ” counter, so that the elderly who are slow to move do not have to worry about checkout and packing, do not have to worry about being impatient by other customers who are waiting behind, and can chat with the cashier for a few words.
I believe that such a demand cannot be simply solved by the Government stepping up the promotion of age-friendly technology.

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those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

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Current products provide interactive, responsive companionship and health support, improving wellbeing and quality of life.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

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make interactions increasingly personal and unique

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many features to enhance owner interaction

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Public acceptance is growing, although with mixed initial reactions, and ethical considerations urge a balanced approach respecting human-animal bonds and emphasizing that robotics should complement, not replace, human care and real pets.

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AI reproduces “sound like it ’ s in ” China ’ s funeral industry
Using people ’ s thoughts about their deceased relatives and friends, Chinese funeral operators use the latest artificial intelligence technology to reproduce digital motion images of deceased relatives and friends, and even talk to them, causing ethical controversy. (from Sing Tao)
2023 / 04 / 05 05: 30
[International News Center / Comprehensive Report] Chinese funeral operators use the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technologies such as ChatGPT and Midjourney to recreate and even talk to their deceased relatives and friends.
Although the claims are popular, they also cause ethical controversy.
Dead relatives, friends, "resurrection" and "dialogue"
According to Chinese and Hong Kong media reports, some funeral operators through different industries alliance, through generative artificial intelligence, the people provided photos, videos, sounds, and even letters to create digital motion pictures, "resurrection" of relatives and friends, and even can simulate the "thoughts and personalities" of deceased relatives and friends, and talk to the living.
People who are said to have tried say that the AI has been able to talk to them after they have been trained to communicate.
Looking at the lifelike images of deceased relatives and friends, listening to the familiar accents of relatives and friends, although it is not true, it is a new definition of "sound like sound" that makes many people moved and tears filled their eyes.
Funeral operators claim that the trial results are better than expected, the market response is enthusiastic, and because modern people regard pets such as cats and dogs as family members, the next step will be to develop a pet version of AI digital imaging technology.
Business owners claim that it is much easier to "resurrect" a pet. After all, the pet has only the voice expression of "wow" or "meow". "As long as it looks cute, it should be able to heal the owner's heart."
"How is this different from the spirits?"
However, the amazing development of AI has also spawned ethical controversies, and some people have questioned that this technology to "resurrect" deceased relatives and friends has crossed the ethical line, "What is the difference between this and the spiritual practitioners?" The living person's conversation is not really a deceased friend or baby pet, but the artificial intelligence behind it, "You think it is a cure, but in fact it is just a deception."
Some scholars have pointed out that even in the virtual world, it is still necessary to accept the rules and regulations, "no order will fall apart", death is not the end of life, so that the dead relatives and friends can be reappeared in front of the eyes, may be able to understand the pain of missing, but if someone is stuck in the mood for a long time, it will become a new problem.
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Cost, technical limitations, and cultural factors remain challenges to broader adoption.

Research and government programs continue to expand the use of these devices as part of multifaceted strategies against elder isolation.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?