What is the Purpose of a Robot Dog?

Some people might wonder, “Why should I buy a robot dog instead of adopting the real one?”

Others may think that for a simple toy, robot dogs don’t really have a lot of tricks that you can teach. Why not just adopt the real pet, or get both the robot and the live animal if you can?

While the choice is up to the owner, there are some amazing benefits to buying a robotic pet that one may not get from a live dog. There are financial benefits, logistic benefits, physical advantages, and mental health benefits that can come from buying a robot pet. This is because taking care of a real dog is an almost life-long responsibility that requires money, physical strength, and a safe environment for the pet to live in.

In this blog, we’ll be going over the purpose of a robot dog and why they are a sensible pet to own in this day and age.

Can Robot Dogs Replace Real Dogs?

If this is the first time you’re hearing of robot dogs, then you might fear that they will soon replace real dogs. But of course, that’s not the case — robot dogs aren’t being created to replace real pets. In fact, some robots are even being made to train real dogs.

However, in certain working environments, there is a need for a more robust companion when going into dangerous situations and environments where real dogs might be put in danger despite their training. This is why many police forces and military groups conduct research to create some of the strongest robot dogs. Most of these dogs aren’t for domestic use, but rather for navigating difficult and challenging terrain alongside trained humans.

At home, there are plenty of situations where a robot dog might be more convenient to have than a real dog. This is usually because the owners might not have the resources, physical or financial, to fully give a real animal the care it deserves. A robot dog, on the other hand, is very low-maintenance and doesn’t require a constant eye to watch over it.

Benefits of a Robot Dog

We mentioned above that having a robot dog can be the better option for certain homeowners. In this section, we break down why this may be and how a robot dog can provide certain benefits. Let’s take a look.

They Won’t Cause a Mess

Often, our pets can provide us with a break from work, help us unwind, relax, and forget about the day’s worries.

But while we love having furry friends at home, it can take up a lot of energy to clean up after them, especially if they’re particularly difficult to train. With a robot dog, you won’t have to worry about soiled shoes, pooped-on carpets, and even just stray hairs that can be laborious to vacuum as many robot dogs come in hard steel or plastic exterior.

Real dogs are also quite notorious for chewing up clothes, shoes, and pretty much other chewable things they can sink their teeth into. This means they require a lot of supervision that many owners, especially during the pandemic, don’t have time for. On the other hand, a robot dog can simply be turned on and off at will, requiring no additional responsibility.

They Provide Social Interaction

Speaking of the pandemic, social interaction with real people can be hard to come by. Online calls can’t really replace face-to-face interaction. But having a pet at home, robotic or not, can significantly help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation in times of a crisis.

A robot dog has also been shown to help growing children develop better social skills even during playtime. This is a huge reason why children with autisms are often given robot pets in order to help them further develop their social skills; studies have shown that the robots are engaging enough to hold their attention and interest, all while being interactive enough to simulate real-life situations.

They Reduce Stress and Bring Joy

Studies have also shown that robot pets can significantly reduce feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety in multiple age groups. This is especially helpful in a time like this where many of us are required to stay at home and even isolate ourselves when sick. With the stress and anxiety caused by current events, having a companion at home that can help unburden these negative emotions should be a necessity.

This is why many nursing homes bring in robot pets for their elderly residents to take care of. Robot dogs and cats can stimulate feelings of warmth and comfort without the need for constant supervision that the residents are incapable of.

They Encourage Physical Activity

Finally, robot dogs can also encourage physical activity through different games and activities. Some more advanced robots can even accompany their owners during their morning jog.

Even something small like walking with your robot dog, dancing along to its musical tricks, and playing hide-and-seek with it is a good form of physical activity. In turn, staying active keeps our heart rate up and keeps our mood from dropping, encouraging our brain to release happy chemicals such as endorphins and dopamine.

Final Note

The above benefits are only the tip of the iceberg with regards to robot dogs. Apart from their features as pets, they also have functions in the workforce, such as the fields of medicine, space engineering, and so much more. In today’s day and age, advancing technology to provide robotic animals for various purposes is not only a good thing, but in some cases a great thing that benefits us all.

Want to take a look at the best robot dogs for your home? Take a look at our full guide!