Little cats or dogs, cuddly baby seals — many animals we simply find cute. After all, what could be more cosy than sitting on the sofa with a purring cat?
However, if one can no longer have much contact with animals, for example in a retirement home or on a dementia ward, sometimes stuffed animals are offered as a substitute. Meanwhile, not only conventional stuffed cuddly animals are moving in, but their robotic advancements. These react to touch, movement or voice, they purr, bark or meow and some of them are able to move. This is made possible by sophisticated sensor, movement and vibration technology. The trend emerged in Japan, but by now Robocat and Co. are also moving into more and more care facilities here in Germany. Of course, such robots can never replace real human care. But it can be a tool for interaction and motivation. An interesting trend, in our opinion!
Robot dog becomes a hit in a retirement home (Hund wird im Altenheim zum Hit)