‘Robopets’ can show loneliness the door

ROBOTIC pets controlled by artificial intelligence can alleviate loneliness in older adults – including those with dementia, research suggests.

In one study, scientists gave robot cats and dogs to 20 participants who said that they were lonely. The robots have sensors that enable them to make noises recorded from real animals – such as purring for cats – when stroked.

The volunteers were psychologically assessed at the start of the experiment, after 30 days and, finally, after 60 days.

Those who spent most time tending to their robot reported the highest levels of wellbeing.

In another study, those who kept the robot pets found that their loneliness decreased, while their wellbeing, resilience and purpose in life improved.

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