Robot dogs are likely to be replacing man's best friend in homes around the world in as little as a decade, an expert has claimed.
Animal welfare researcher Dr Jean-Loup Rault believes "real" pets will soon become a luxury in an overpopulated world.
And he expects people to form genuine emotional attachments to their virtual and mechanical animal companions.
the robotic puppy AIBO. The article opened, “Toshi T. Doi, Sony Corp.’s leading computer engineer, is obsessed with robots. His small, third-floor lab is a breeding ground for robotic pups taking their first wobbly steps, chasing balls, and barking for attention. ‘We’re getting ready for the age of digital creatures,’ says Doi.” These cute pups, which cost more than $2000, lasted through 2005.