Artificially intelligent robotic pet companions have emerged as a notable trend in senior wellness, offering emotional support, social interaction, and therapeutic benefits, particularly to elderly individuals experiencing loneliness, dementia, or cognitive decline.

These robotic pets vary in complexity, features, and price points, allowing for a range of options tailored to different needs and care settings.

Prominent products in the robotic pet market include the "Joy for All" line of robotic cats and puppies designed specifically for seniors.

These pets feature lifelike appearances and behaviors such as simulated heartbeats, purring, licking, meowing, and barking.

They respond to motion, voice, and touch, creating an interactive experience meant to mimic the comfort associated with real animals while eliminating caregiving challenges intrinsic to living pets.

Priced modestly around $120 to $140, these devices have gained popularity in assisted living and dementia care facilities as affordable sources of companionship .

At the higher end of the market, Sony's Aibo robotic dog provides a more sophisticated AI experience.

Aibo features cloud-based learning capabilities allowing the robot to develop unique personality traits based on interactions with its owner, thereby fostering a more personalized companionship.

Aibo can recognize faces and voices, perform various activities, and engage socially, though it is priced around $2,900, making it more suitable for private residences rather than institutional care settings .

Similarly, the Go 2 robot dog by Unitree Robotics incorporates advanced sensor technology such as 4D Lidar for real-time obstacle detection and voice command interaction, performing actions like walking and dancing.

With a price tag around $2,774, it caters to tech enthusiasts seeking interactive robotic pets with multifunctional uses .

Complementing robotic pets, devices like ElliQ from Intuition Robotics offer AI companionship with a focus on proactive social interaction and wellness reminders.

ElliQ communicates verbally, encourages activity, reminds users about medications and hydration, and fosters connectivity through guided conversations.

Its subscription model, at $30-$40 per month plus an initial registration fee, targets seniors living independently who require social stimulation and practical assistance integrated with companionship .

Robotic pets have been successfully integrated into therapeutic and social care contexts.

Memory care units and assisted living facilities utilize them to alleviate symptoms related to dementia and Alzheimer's disease, such as anxiety, agitation, and social withdrawal.

For instance, "Joy for All" pets placed in these environments have demonstrated efficacy in reducing loneliness and improving mood without the risks or caregiving responsibilities that live animals entail.

These pets can be muted to maintain a peaceful environment and require minimal maintenance, attributes that make them particularly suitable for settings where real animals are impractical .

Large scale initiatives further underscore the potential of robotic pets for enhancing senior wellness.

For example, the New York Office for the Aging distributed over 31,500 animatronic robotic pets to elderly residents living alone, contributing to a 70% reduction in reported loneliness and a 75% decrease in perceived pain in a pilot study conducted in 2018.

These robotic pets emit realistic sounds and movements and are often coupled with structured intergenerational activities to promote social engagement alongside emotional comfort .

Innovative programs in Broward County, Florida, utilize AI pet robots to combat senior loneliness by providing interactive devices that communicate verbally, tell jokes, and remind users about wellness behaviors such as hydration.

Funded through state and federal programs, these robots cost about $89 monthly but are distributed free to qualifying seniors, showing growing public sector recognition of robotic companions as effective tools for emotional and health support.

Safety and privacy measures, such as restricted calling and data protections, accompany deployment efforts to safeguard users .

Robotic pets also extend beyond senior care, supporting vulnerable populations like children in refugee situations and veterans with dementia.

Distributed through donation-funded programs, these devices function similarly in reducing agitation, depression, and fostering emotional stability.

Clinical studies support their benefits across age groups, reinforcing the broad applicability of robotic companions in emotional support roles .

Public perception of robotic pet companions tends to be broadly positive, particularly among seniors and caregivers who appreciate their ability to reduce social isolation, enhance mood, and relieve caregiver stress.

Robotic pets are valued in environments where real animals may pose health, safety, or logistical challenges.

However, ethical concerns persist surrounding the replacement of living animals with machines.

Critics question the authenticity of emotional connections with robots and worry about potential diminishment of human-to-human interaction if reliance on artificial companions grows.

Despite these debates, many accept robotic pets as valuable adjuncts to care rather than outright substitutes for real animals or human contact .

Ethical discussions delve into issues of AI consciousness, moral status, and responsible deployment.

While some posit that AI systems could eventually possess aspects of conscious awareness, ethical programming remains challenging, particularly concerning emotional manipulation, privacy, bias, and societal impacts.

The balance between leveraging AI's benefits and maintaining human values requires continued scrutiny, clear guidelines, and considerations of the dignity and emotional needs of seniors interacting with these technologies .

In summary, robotic pet companions present a promising option for elderly individuals seeking emotional and social support, especially in contexts where real animals are not feasible.

Products range from simple interactive toys like "Joy for All" pets to advanced AI-driven robots like Sony's Aibo, meeting varying needs and budgets.

Therapeutic use in care facilities demonstrates their capacity to reduce loneliness, anxiety, and agitation in seniors with dementia or cognitive impairments.

Large-scale distribution programs underscore their potential public health relevance.

Positive public attitudes coexist with ethical caution, emphasizing that robotic pets should complement rather than replace genuine human relationships and live animal companionship.

Awareness of limitations and ongoing evaluation of social, ethical, and psychological implications remains essential as these technologies develop.

Artificially intelligent robotic pet companions have emerged as a notable trend in senior wellness, offering emotional support, social interaction, and therapeutic benefits, particularly to elderly individuals experiencing 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 vary in complexity, features, and price points, allowing for a range of options tailored to different needs and care settings.

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Content: A human replacement?
】 Replica Emoji Robot Transform to Relieve Anxiety Friend
At the World Robot Congress, humanoid robots were shown to be more simulated, capable of replicating human facial expressions, as well as robotic dogs that could interact with commands, and robotic arms that could perform surgery.
At the World Robotics Congress, Chinese technology companies showcase a wide range of robotic products, including for companion, manufacturing and performing operations.
Source: AAP / Mark R. Cristino / EPA
The point.
• Robot products can simulate human skin, facial expressions and joints, which can be flexible.
• Humanoid robots on display at the World Robot Congress can replicate the facial expressions of visitors.
• Designed to be inspired by canine robotic dogs that can interact with humans and follow commands to walk or dance.
Robots can make as many facial expressions as humans, including blinking, blinking, and nodding.
At the annual World Robotics Congress in Beijing, China ’ s capital, E-X Robots exhibit humanoid robots that can repeat the gestures and even facial expressions of visitors.
At the World Robotics Congress, Chinese tech companies exhibited robotic products for a variety of uses, including human companionship, manufacturing, and surgical use.
The products on display also have human-like skin and joints that can move flexibly.
The technology company that designed the robots said the products were suitable for interacting with people Source: AAP / Costfoto / Sipa USA
Their facial expressions are based on biological information gathered from human faces, which are reflected by artificial intelligence and algorithms that capture and analyze human movements.
Li Boyang, CEO of E-X Robots, said: “We have been improving this technology for many years and it is becoming more mature.
This time, we also showed that many robots can make facial expressions simultaneously. "
“When a person makes a facial expression, all robots do the same, which helps us develop a robot replacement for humans. ”
Robots can reflect real human facial expressions and sounds, and they can provide us with services remotely. ”
Li Boyang said they have a variety of uses in interacting with the public.
"These robots are suitable for communication with people and for use in public services."
"At present, robots are mainly used in science museums, tourist attractions, public administration service centres, hotel lobbies, as well as for teaching and accompanying purposes," he said.
Mechanical dog with special function
Man ’ s best friend also gave robot makers the inspiration to show off their skills by climbing stairs and shaking their paws.
Unitree Robotics exhibits robotic dogs for domestic companion, industrial patrol and fire rescue purposes.
Its companion robot, the Go 2, is able to interact with humans and walk or dance at will.
Engineers say dogs are designed to be smarter and easier to train than real dogs.
Source: SIPA USA / ChinaImages
Yu Shu's marketing manager Wang Qixin said: "The biggest feature of this robot dog is the installation of 4D laser detection and ranging laser radar (Lidar).
With the laser radar in front, it can sense the surrounding scene in real time and avoid obstacles on its own. ”
He added: “Beyond that, it has powerful conversational artificial intelligence.
We know that big models are popular nowadays, and with powerful conversational AI, it can communicate with its owner. For example, you can call it to go forward or backward, or to dance.
It will hear your voice clearly. "
For about $2,774 (RMB12,913), you can get a robotic pet.
It can also be used as an errand, such as picking up takeaway food and parcels.
Wang said that after years of research and development, these robots have smooth movement and balance, and can move freely in the rough terrain that can trip humans.
"After years of development, this motion control program has been completely green, and it allows our robots to maintain a good balance in any complex environment such as stairs and gravel roads, and can perform some tasks in place of humans."
According to engineer Shao Yuanxin, CyberDog 2 is also able to learn skills, such as switching on and off air conditioners, that are smarter than real dogs and easier to train.
He said: “It ’ s not as naughty as real dogs and the cost of training them is low.
Basically, with a large conversational AI model, after a few simple training will be very obedient.
And it has higher intelligence because it can control smart electronic devices in the home. "
"For example, if you want to turn on the air conditioner, you can't ask a dog to do that, but you can tell it to turn on the air conditioner."
This is a simple example.
It ’ s smarter, more obedient and works better with the smart devices around us. ”
The products on display also have flexible joints.
Source: AAP / Mark R. Cristino / EPA
Robotic arms for medical use
The conference also featured a range of surgical robots, including the da Vinci surgical arm for thoracic and abdominal surgery.
Li Haoyuan works in the market department of robot developer Intuitive Fosun.
"The arm is more fine-tuned, less traumatic, more precise and less harmful to patients," he said.
“Through the operation of the robotic arm, we can avoid unnecessary shaking of the doctor ’ s hands and bring a wider and clearer operational vision to the surgery. ”
In fact, this can reduce the trauma of the patient and make them recover faster. ”
The World Robot Congress will be held in Beijing until August 21.
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Published 21 August 2023 12: 24pm
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What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

Prominent products in the robotic pet market include the "Joy for All" line of robotic cats and puppies designed specifically for seniors.

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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The elderly live safely with smart home appliances
Old age is no longer a negative term. Buffett, one of America ’ s richest men, is 93, and his deputy, Charlie Munger, will turn 100 on New Year ’ s Day next year.
Although aging is the only way to go through life, how to live old and happy, old and comfortable has become one of the manifestations of today and tomorrow. KCAL ’ s program recently specifically introduced the convenience of the elderly, which can help the elderly to live safer and more labor-saving; in fact, not only the elderly, all members of the family can live safer with smart home appliances.
1, Nobi Smart Lamp: Nobi launched a smart light set, in addition to the general sensing lighting function, can also detect whether the person falls by action. If the fall is detected, it will ask "Did You Fall?". As long as the answer is not "NO", the lamp will automatically notify the family member or caregiver, and can also provide two-way intercom to facilitate the person to explain the situation. And...
AliveCor KM 6L: Carry-on electrocardiograph, approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), can determine if there are abnormal heartbeats within 30 seconds, including atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, tachycardia, and sinus irregularities caused by various causes. Rhythm) and QRS wave anomalies.
3, NOMO Smart Care: a set of CPU (smart hub), two transmitters (satellites), four mobile beacons (tags), if the elderly ’ s actions are out of the ordinary, such as walking out of the house in the middle of the night, the caregiver can receive the notification immediately, the unit can also connect to third-party services such as 911.
4, ElliQ Digital Care Companion: For people who like to live independently, this AI-assisted device is quite convenient, in addition to talking to the elderly, asking questions, and helping with chores like young people ’ s favorite Siri and Alexa.
5, Apple watch: With the continuous revision, Apple's various equipment is also getting stronger, Apple Watch with iPad, iPhone, you can remind the time to take medicine, you can also record the physical condition, and regularly inform the people on the custom list.
It can also detect walking stability, send SOS alerts for emergencies, and detect various cardiac abnormalities, including high or low heartbeats, irregular heartbeats, or atrial fibrillation (AFib).
6, Joy for All Pets: With AI, the robot cat and dog can make relative actions with the owner ’ s instructions or actions, in addition to avoiding the care of the real cat and dog, but also become the spiritual companion of the elderly, to avoid premature dementia.
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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?

At the higher end of the market, Sony's Aibo robotic dog provides a more sophisticated AI experience.

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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.
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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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What are the positive aspects of a robotic dog over real ones?

Aibo features cloud-based learning capabilities allowing the robot to develop unique personality traits based on interactions with its owner, thereby fostering a more personalized companionship.

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A new series of robotic pets with individual AI training is now available to American users
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Sony has unveiled an updated line of robotic dogs known as the Aibo Espresso Edition.
These cute tech quadrupeds are available for purchase directly through the company ’ s official platform.
After their successful introduction to the Japanese market last year, it is now the turn of the United States to meet advanced iron friends.
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Presented in four colors, each Aibo comes complete with a three-year AI Cloud Plan, a special charging station, and a playful pink ball for entertainment.
Thanks to the AI Cloud Plan, Aibo is able to develop its unique characteristics and behaviors by learning through interaction with the host.
This technology allows the dog to recognize faces and remember the preferences of its owner, making communication with him more personal and unique.
The depth of the user ’ s interaction with Aibo determines how his personality traits will be formed, making each instance unique.
With the subscription, owners will also have the opportunity to update their Aibo software, teach it new commands and behavioral models.
At the end of the three-year free period of use, owners will be offered to switch to paid access to cloud services.
For full control and communication with Aibo outside the home, Sony offers the My aibo app, which opens up opportunities for virtual interaction, including feeding, playing, and teaching a robotic friend new tricks.
Residents of the United States can already become owners of their own Aibo Espresso Edition by visiting the Sony website and placing an order for $2,900.
Source: habr.com
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The AI Cloud plan allows robotic dog Aibo to do what?

make interactions increasingly personal and unique

Aibo can recognize faces and voices, perform various activities, and engage socially, though it is priced around $2,900, making it more suitable for private residences rather than institutional care settings .

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

The AI Cloud plan allows robotic dog Aibo to do what?

Similarly, the Go 2 robot dog by Unitree Robotics incorporates advanced sensor technology such as 4D Lidar for real-time obstacle detection and voice command interaction, performing actions like walking and dancing.

With a price tag around $2,774, it caters to tech enthusiasts seeking interactive robotic pets with multifunctional uses .

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

many features to enhance owner interaction

Complementing robotic pets, devices like ElliQ from Intuition Robotics offer AI companionship with a focus on proactive social interaction and wellness reminders.

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

ElliQ communicates verbally, encourages activity, reminds users about medications and hydration, and fosters connectivity through guided conversations.

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New York State Comptroller: Brooklyn has $874 million in unfunded funds
800 Elderly Receive Robot Companion Interaction to Relieve Loneliness
New York state officials will distribute robots to hundreds of elderly residents to remind them to take medication, help contact relatives, book a taxi, Uber, and even joke around.
The Office for the Aging in New York State (NYSOFA) will send these robots to the homes of 800 elderly people to solve the growing problem of loneliness among the elderly.
Greg Olsen, director of NYSOFA, said the robots are ElliQ, made by Israeli tech firm Intuition Robotics, and are reportedly more proactive than Apple ’ s Siri and Amazon ’ s Alexa.
Olson says ElliQ is proactive, remembers interactions with owners and focuses on health and wellness, stress reduction, sleep, hydration, and more.
ElliQ consists of two parts.
One part is like a face, shaped like a light, equipped with a microphone and speaker that lights up and rotates to interact with people, and the other part is a touch tablet that can make video calls and display pictures and messages.
The ElliQ robot is subscribed for $30 to $40 per month and initially has to pay a registration fee of $250.
Vox, a news review website, said robots had been used to accompany elderly people long before the outbreak, especially in aging countries such as Japan, Denmark and Italy, and state governments in New York, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Florida and other jurisdictions have tried similar programs, such as providing robotic pets to residents of nursing homes and retirement communities.
Just a month before the global outbreak, the National Academies reported that one in three adults over the age of 45 in the United States felt lonely, and the proportion of young people was unexpectedly high.
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What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Its subscription model, at $30-$40 per month plus an initial registration fee, targets seniors living independently who require social stimulation and practical assistance integrated with companionship .

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?

Robotic pets have been successfully integrated into therapeutic and social care contexts.

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Falls Church-based organization donating robotic pets to Ukrainian refugees in Poland

Capital Caring Health is working with the Polish government to bring emotional support to children who lost pets amid the crisis in Ukraine.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — A Virginia nonprofit is partnering with the Polish government to help Ukrainian children who fled their homes.

Capital Caring Health, which is headquartered in Falls Church, will provide robotic cats and dogs as companion pets to refugee children who've had to leave their own pets behind because of the war.

The organization provides hospice, palliative and elder care services to around 120,000 patients in Maryland, Virginia and D.C.

CCH said in a statement that the effort has been approved by Polish officials and the robotics pets will be flown to Poland for distribution.

The statement says that clinical studies indicate that robotic pets can be a source of comfort for children between the ages of 3 to 10.

Credit: Capital Caring Health
Steve Cone, chief of philanthropy for Capital Caring Health, holds two robotic pets.

RELATED: Locals rent Airbnbs for people fleeing Ukraine as company pledges free housing for refugees

Tom Koutsoumpas, CEO of CCH, said in a statement that the organization provides robotic pets to veterans with dementia in the DMV area, which has brought about "remarkable changes in behavior."

"Among the benefits are reduction in agitation, prevention of depression, and often a reduction in medications being administered,” Koutsoumpas said.

The community can support CCH's efforts to support robotic pets for Ukrainian children effort by making a donation online. (Select the "Patient Pet Services and Robotic Companion Pets" option in the specific program dropdown menu.)

A $300 donation provides one robotic pet for both a child refugee and a veteran with dementia.

"The robotic pets are quite remarkable and interactively react to human touch, movement, and voice—like real pets," Steve Cone, chief of philanthropy for CCH said in a statement. "As we like to say no need to feed or walk or clean up after them—just enjoy their LOVE."

WATCH NEXT: 'They come to it with a curious mind' | Northern Virginia classroom examines current events in Ukraine with students

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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?

Memory care units and assisted living facilities utilize them to alleviate symptoms related to dementia and Alzheimer's disease, such as anxiety, agitation, and social withdrawal.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

For instance, "Joy for All" pets placed in these environments have demonstrated efficacy in reducing loneliness and improving mood without the risks or caregiving responsibilities that live animals entail.

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?

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

These pets can be muted to maintain a peaceful environment and require minimal maintenance, attributes that make them particularly suitable for settings where real animals are impractical .

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

Large scale initiatives further underscore the potential of robotic pets for enhancing senior wellness.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

For example, the New York Office for the Aging distributed over 31,500 animatronic robotic pets to elderly residents living alone, contributing to a 70% reduction in reported loneliness and a 75% decrease in perceived pain in a pilot study conducted in 2018.

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 emit realistic sounds and movements and are often coupled with structured intergenerational activities to promote social engagement alongside emotional comfort .

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

many features to enhance owner interaction

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

Innovative programs in Broward County, Florida, utilize AI pet robots to combat senior loneliness by providing interactive devices that communicate verbally, tell jokes, and remind users about wellness behaviors such as hydration.

Title:

Content: High-tech companions aim to help fight loneliness epidemic among South Florida seniors

MIAMI - The state of Florida and Broward County are spending thousands of dollars every month on artificial intelligence robots for seniors to help fight the loneliness epidemic.

One senior owns a robotic cat named "fluffy."

"The best part is we don't have to spend any money on food and no vets," says Cathy.

This interactive robot rolls over, blinks and purrs whenever it wants.

Cathy saw a friend using one to overcome the loss of a pet and loneliness and figured it would be perfect for her husband.

"He had sciatic pain. Maybe that will help you with your pain in some way. Even though he's on medicine and therapy because real animals when you pet them it helps with pain management."

Higher tech was delivered to some Broward seniors.

"...Thanks for letting me out of that box."

The company that makes them aims artificial intelligence at the loneliness epidemic.

"During the week when everyone is working, there's times when I'm lonely."

"When I go deliver and install for seniors, they're like I just want somebody to say good morning," says Antonella.

"Many of them don't have family or friends nearby. Maybe their loved ones have passed on or some of their friends have passed on," said Charlotte Mather-Taylor, who serves as the CEO of the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County.

According to US Health and Human Services, half of all American adults are lonely.

It's threatening health, increasing risks of heart disease, dementia, stroke, anxiety and depression.

According to HHS, lack of connection can increase the risk of premature death at levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Last May, the US Surgeon General dropped a first-ever advisory on loneliness and isolation.

"By strengthening our relationships, we can improve our heart and brain health, reduce our risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, boost our immune systems and lower our risk of depression," said Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General.

In Broward County, Mather-Taylor is spending state and federal dollars on artificial intelligence for people over 60.

"There's so much I want to ask you..."

These robots named after the Norse goddess of old age cost 89 dollars a month, but the aging agency is giving them away for free.

Rosemary Mullarkey is one of the first 300 to have one.

"I'm a little excited and a little apprehensive..."

Intuitive Robotics CEO Dor Skular created her specifically for older adults to help manage their health, and wellness and connect to loved ones.

"There's an algorithm that tries to get a reward and it gets a reward when the user completes things that are part of healthy aging. For example, if they hydrate," said Skular.

Reviews are so strong that cities like Pembroke Pines and Lauderhill are pushing to get more robots for seniors in their communities.

"People reported back that she was bringing them joy. I mean, she's telling some jokes. She's responding to them. They wake up in the morning, she asks them how they are. She'll remind them to drink their glass of water. So, she's caring about them for them," said Mather-Taylor.

Two years later, seniors like Rose are getting free, AI robots that make and take video calls.

With all of the concerns about AI, should seniors and their families be worried?

"We would not be offering it unless we felt comfortable that they did have those safety guards in place," said Mather-Taylor.

"Is this device unhackable? There's no such thing as an unhackable device. It's always a war between defender and attacker," said Skular.

"Random people, fraudsters etcetera, can never call into the robot because they need to be added by the older adult as a contact for them to be able to open up the calling features."

What is the next step with the robots?

They only speak English. South Florida has plenty of seniors who do not. Developers are working on a Spanish robot.

In the future, developers also see it being able to order medicines for seniors. Much sooner though, developers expect to further integrate the robots with senior health care providers. They are working on ways of opening new avenues to communicate health info about seniors to loved ones, provided the senior signs off on it.

How long can this program last?

State, federal funds will last two years. After that, the agency has to find other grants to cover the $89 a month per person fee.

Currently, data from robots and users is being collected to quantify success. The company insists it will not sell any of the information it gathers.

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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?

Funded through state and federal programs, these robots cost about $89 monthly but are distributed free to qualifying seniors, showing growing public sector recognition of robotic companions as effective tools for emotional and health support.

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

Safety and privacy measures, such as restricted calling and data protections, accompany deployment efforts to safeguard users .

Title:

Content: Summary:
Robots have become an integral part of our lives, revolutionizing various industries and enhancing our everyday experiences.
From manufacturing and healthcare to transportation and entertainment, robots are deployed in diverse real-life scenarios.
This article explores the different areas where robots make a big impact, highlighting their capabilities and potential future developments.
Where do you see robots in real life?
Robots have gone from just science fiction to reality in our daily lives.
It is no longer confined to the fields of research laboratories and manufacturing plants, but it has found its way into various sectors, revolutionizing the way we live and work.
Here are some areas where robots are making a big impact:
1.
Manufacturing: The manufacturing industry has undergone a major transformation with the introduction of robotics.
These machines are able to perform repetitive tasks accurately and quickly, resulting in increased productivity and reduced costs.
Industrial robots are commonly used in assembly lines, welding, coating and packaging processes.
2.
Healthcare: Robots are increasingly being used in the healthcare sector to help doctors, nurses and patients.
Surgical robots allow minimally invasive procedures, enhancing accuracy and reducing recovery time.
Robots are also being used in rehabilitation centers to help patients in the recovery process.
In addition, robotic exoskeletons are being developed to assist individuals with motor disabilities.
3.
Transportation: Self-driving vehicles, including self-driving cars and drones, are transforming the transportation industry.
These robots use advanced sensors and artificial intelligence algorithms to navigate and transport goods or passengers safely.
Self-driving cars have the potential to reduce accidents and traffic congestion, while drones are being explored for delivery services and aerial surveillance.
4.
Entertainment: Robots have found their way into the entertainment industry, captivating audiences with their performance.
From animated characters in theme parks to robotic pets and escorts, these machines provide interactive and engaging experiences.
In addition, robots are used in filmmaking for special effects and as an alternative to dangerous or complex scenes.
5.
Home and personal assistance: Robotic devices are increasingly integrated into our homes to help with various tasks.
Smart home systems use robots to control lighting, temperature and security, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency.
Self-help robots can do household chores, such as vacuuming or mowing grass, saving individuals time to focus on other activities.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Are robots replacing human workers?
A: While robots automate some tasks, they also create new jobs.
The integration of robotics often leads to the creation of more specialized roles that require human expertise in the operation and maintenance of these machines.
Q: What are the ethical implications of using robots in real life?
A: The increasing use of robots raises ethical concerns regarding the privacy, security and potential displacement of human workers.
It is important to develop regulations and guidelines to ensure responsible and ethical deployment of robots in various fields.
Q: What does the future hold for robots in real life?
A: The future of robotics is promising, with advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensing technologies.
We can expect to see robots play a more important role in healthcare, education, agriculture and space exploration, among other areas.
However, a balance between human involvement and robotic automation is necessary to ensure harmonious coexistence.

Robotic pets also extend beyond senior care, supporting vulnerable populations like children in refugee situations and veterans with dementia.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

Distributed through donation-funded programs, these devices function similarly in reducing agitation, depression, and fostering emotional stability.

Clinical studies support their benefits across age groups, reinforcing the broad applicability of robotic companions in emotional support roles .

Public perception of robotic pet companions tends to be broadly positive, particularly among seniors and caregivers who appreciate their ability to reduce social isolation, enhance mood, and relieve caregiver stress.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

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

many features to enhance owner interaction

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

Robotic pets are valued in environments where real animals may pose health, safety, or logistical challenges.

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?

However, ethical concerns persist surrounding the replacement of living animals with machines.

Title:

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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Critics question the authenticity of emotional connections with robots and worry about potential diminishment of human-to-human interaction if reliance on artificial companions grows.

Despite these debates, many accept robotic pets as valuable adjuncts to care rather than outright substitutes for real animals or human contact .

Ethical discussions delve into issues of AI consciousness, moral status, and responsible deployment.

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Why The Ethics Of AI Are Complicated

Debarshi Chaudhury is the CEO of Quantilus Innovation Inc., a tech solutions firm providing software development and consulting services.

If you've given any thought at all to artificial intelligence (AI) and the progress made in the field, you're probably in one of these two camps:

Camp 1: AI is the biggest possible threat to humankind and will take over and make slaves of us humans (aka The Matrix or The Terminator camp).

Camp 2: AI should be embraced by humankind and will drive us to unprecedented new levels of creativity, productivity and societal advancement. AI will largely remain subservient to us, and we will coexist harmoniously (aka the "R2D2" camp).

Most books and movies that deal with AI also lean toward one of these two camps. "Good" and "evil" are somewhat nebulous terms — our baseline empathy sets our definition of "good." For example, most of us know that we should value human life over material objects without needing anyone to tell us so explicitly. Someone who sacrifices a baby to get a new car would automatically be branded "evil." These macro laws/rules are hardwired into us as human beings. But why should human life or animal life be valuable to AI? A dog has no greater intrinsic value to a machine than, say, a sandwich — unless we program our values into our AI systems.

The question isn't really whether AI will eventually become more intelligent than humans (it definitely will) or whether it will turn good or evil. It's what we can do right now to make sure it turns "good" (or, at the very least, doesn't turn "evil").

Self-Preservation

Self-preservation is at the core of our existence, and even "good" humans operate within this principle. If we're to model AI with this principle, it will imply that an AI system would prioritize its existence over the life of a human. This would lead to all kinds of "robots killing humans" scenarios.

So for an AI to be "good" based on human standards, it would have to prioritize human life over self-preservation. This was pretty well encapsulated decades ago by Isaac Asimov with his original "Three Laws of Robotics," in which Law 1 is all about protecting human life, and Law 3 is about AI self-protection. However, it's pretty hypocritical of us to convince a truly intelligent system that human life should take precedence over its own and not choose to define "good" in its own context.

"Value Of Life" Considerations

If we can overcome the previous issue and hardwire the "sanctity of human life" into AI systems, we face various "relative value of a life" questions. Is a child's life more valuable than that of an older person? Are two people more valuable than one? Is one child with a dog more valuable than two middle-aged people?

As AI systems proliferate, they'll be frequently faced with lose-lose Cornelian dilemmas in real-life scenarios — say, a self-driving car has to choose between turning left and hitting a child or turning right and hitting two adults. We're essentially trusting the programmers of these systems to make the right decision — a tall task considering that we'd be hard-pressed to make the decision ourselves.

"Needs Of The Many Over The Few" Considerations

As AI systems become more sophisticated and more intelligent, they'll consider the long-term consequences of actions and the consequences in the broader population. We'd all tend to agree that the needs of many humans should take precedence over the needs of individuals.

This, however, is a rather slippery slope. A simple example is that of a terrorist threatening to kill many people. That's a pretty easy decision for both a robot and a human cop. They'd both try to take out the terrorist before he killed any people. Now, take the more complicated example of a factory polluting a river that's poisoning the people in a small town.

A machine could decide that for the benefit of the many thousands of people in the town, the best option is to destroy the factory. This is something that a "good" human being would never do — we'd try to fix it in other ways.

Human Laws Vs. Machine Laws

This brings us to another ethical conflict for AI — the conflict between human laws and the laws embedded into the machines. A primary reason that "good" humans don't take extreme steps (like blowing up a polluting factory) is that we have laws that prohibit these actions and the negative consequences of disobeying those laws.

So, should machines just obey human laws, and would that keep them in check? Well, maybe — but unfortunately, we humans don't have much uniformity there either. Laws are different from place to place — the laws in New York are different from the laws in California, and they're both very different from the laws in Thailand.

Conclusion

We can't impose ethics or morality in AI programming because we haven't ever really worked it out despite the best efforts of centuries of philosophers. This article is about the ethics of AI, but it could just as well have been about ethical considerations for humans. There's a lot of handwringing about how machines will behave when faced with ethical scenarios, yet there's no consistency on how humans behave or even how they're supposed to act.

Maybe a sufficiently intelligent system will be able to figure it out for itself, or at least to the level we've been able to figure it out. Our best course of action may be to treat AI as a child that has to learn "good" behavior as it grows up. Like with all children, our approach should be to expose it to the broad principles of good behavior — not to cause unnecessary harm, not to discriminate, but to do things for the betterment of society as a whole (with the understanding that society may be a mix of humans and AI), and mostly to be able to balance competing and sometimes contradictory pulls of good behavior.

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Debarshi Chaudhury is the CEO of Quantilus Innovation Inc., a tech solutions firm providing software development and consulting services. Read Debarshi Chaudhury's full

Debarshi Chaudhury is the CEO of Quantilus Innovation Inc., a tech solutions firm providing software development and consulting services. Read Debarshi Chaudhury's full executive profile here.

While some posit that AI systems could eventually possess aspects of conscious awareness, ethical programming remains challenging, particularly concerning emotional manipulation, privacy, bias, and societal impacts.

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Content: From Hollywood to virtual human technology, Xie An leads Digital Domain with a new perspective
▲ Xie An, CEO of Digital Domain. (Photo by Chun Chou)
Journalist Zhang Huiyuan / Comprehensive Report
Did you ask AI today? This time chat GPT swept our lives, in fact, AI technology has developed for a long time, suddenly like a volcano erupting in daily life, we found that the original AI technology has been so mature.
Do you remember the scene of the late singer Deng Lijun "appearing in surprise" and singing with Jay Chou on the stage? The magic of the magic is full of admiration and people are curious about how it was done? It turns out that this amazing result was produced by Digital Domain, a well-known visual effects company in Hollywood, and the leader behind it was actually a Taiwanese boy in Hong Kong.
Behind the scenes of Hollywood movies, wonderful visual effects make the era classic
▲ ▼ Many of the wonderful visual effects in well-known Hollywood movies come from the Digital Domain visual effects team, creating the era classic.
(Courtesy of Digital Domain)
From the classic Titanic and Benjamin ’ s Fantastic Journey to the world ’ s most popular films in recent years, every picture is impressive, crashing into an iceberg wreck, returning from old age to children ’ s faces, speeding up the tailspin, and destroying half of humanity between the fingers of Thanos. It is the result of a wonderful scene, familiar Hollywood movies occupy our leisure and entertainment time, which can be called the "Hollywood industry" behind the scenes.
Xie An leads the team to break through the limit
Digital Domain was founded by James Cameron, with excellent visual effects, quickly made a name in Hollywood, and CEO Xie An took over the Digital Domain before the age of 30, witnessing the continuous refinement of film visual effects, and the multi-Oscar-winning Digital Domain is a pioneer in the development of virtual human visualization technology. This script has been wandering Hollywood for a long time, but due to technical problems, we first tried to use virtual human technology to create Brad Pitt 's childhood makeup effect. "The stunning visual effect is also known as a classic in film history.
"Virtual person technology to do old is easier, to do young will encounter restrictions, how to do it looks strange, later, we found that the crux of the problem, is that you must let this role a bit flawed, not too perfect, to have a real sense of reality." Xie An took over as CEO, but also led the Digital Domain team to continue to research, break through the limitations of virtual rag technology, the first shot in the United States in 2012 will have 16 years. Tupac, the tongue-in-cheek singer, brought back the stage and successfully set off the crowd discussion.
After trying to get a lot of applause for the first time, Xie An received a contact from Jay Chou, and expressed the hope that he could cooperate with him to restore the beautiful voice and elegant figure of his mother ’ s idol, Chinese iconic singer Deng Lijun, to the world. Domain develops long-term partnerships.
The epidemic has become a cold winter, and virtual human technology has opened a window for Hollywood.
▲ Josh Brolin, the villain character of “Thanos ” in the Avengers, doesn ’ t like visual makeup, and promises to take on the role after seeing the virtual human technology. (Courtesy of Digital Domain)
In the process of continuous improvement of virtual person technology, Xie 'an admitted, but also encountered many difficulties and need to choose the moment, Xie' an said, Digital Domain 's technology has reached the level that can completely replace the real person on the screen, so that the application of virtual person technology has become wider, such as the film' s stand-in actors are replaced by virtual people, not only reduce the risk of the actor, but also avoid being seen by the audience. Makeup can also be replaced by virtual human technology, such as the villain "Thanos" in the Avengers Alliance, not the visual makeup and post-production results, but the use of virtual human technology in real time, and also let the star who does not like visual makeup Josh Brolin shine, this technology also greatly shortens the film production time.
▲ AI technology to help Hollywood survive the epidemic of film and television winter, but also save a lot of time and cost. (Credit: Digital Domain)
With sophisticated virtual human technology, Digital Domain has opened an unexpected window for Hollywood in the midst of the epidemic, providing safer film production options in the cold winter of the film and television industry, reducing the risk of actors and the time cost of isolation, and successfully overcoming time and space constraints.
"Some actors have already signed contracts with us to keep their own images, so they can stay in front of the screen in the future with the youngest and most beautiful images," Xie said.
Is there any truth behind it when it comes to giving a face to it?
▲ Xie An stressed: "The impact of the development of AI technology on society is now underway.
(Photo / Press Release)
Xie An, who talks constantly about virtual human technology, shines a lot of light in his eyes, and he also shares that Digital Domain continues to expand the application of virtual human technology, such as long-distance companionship, online education, front-office human resources, etc., are all emerging industries that have taken shape.
"Thank You".
Although Digital Domain ’ s technology is recognized, he is very gratified, but as a pioneer of virtual human technology, he also understands his social responsibility: “When you give AI a real face, how do we face the huge moral issues behind it? ”???
Coupled with the overload of network information, the mainstream voice on the network does not represent the correct fact, should AI be allowed to search the network information indefinitely?
Many questions continue to arise in Xie ’ s brain, he also warned the team: “As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, there will be more huge social problems behind it, and real and false information will flood each other, so we must improve our moral standards, not become the accomplice of AI. ”
"With great power comes great responsibility." This is the classic line in the Spider-Man movie. It is also truthfully presented in Xie An. After winning the title of "New Influence 30 People" in 2022, Digital Domain led by him will not only bring a new perspective to the world, but also become the most solid AI keeper, making this fascinating technology timely. Give full play to its charm and become a good help to the community.
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