ROBO-DOG – A COMPANION IN OUR LIVES?
Many of us began to feel lonely during the pandemic. We are overwhelmed
by remote work, the immensity of household responsibilities - all of this is
our daily routine at this moment. Many of us miss family meetings, or going out
with friends.
Since the epidemic of COVID-19, we have started to notice other things
as well. Many of us were lack of society. I have noticed that among my friends,
many people have decided to adopt or buy a pet. I an example of such a person,
however, my adventure began a little differently. In January 2020, I decided to
adopt a cat from a shelter. Today, I can't imagine my life without my
four-legged friend. I suspect that many of you have a some kind of pet, whether
it's a dog, cat, hamster, parrot, or guinea pig.
Have you wondered what when you get older? Who will take care of your
four-legged friend?
Source 1:
https://www.inceptivemind.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Unitree-A1.jpg
A year ago, Unitree company became famous for its four-legged robot
Laikago, which cost $45,000, quite a lot amount for the average human wallet.
The robot-dog could carry a 9-kilogram load, move up to three hours on a single
charge and weight only 22 kilograms. Robo-dog could also accelerate up to 1.4
meters per second. These days, there's something much, much cheaper called
Unitree A1 -model which cost almost $10000. Its capabilities boil down to 2.5
hours of operation on a single charge, a payload capacity up to 5 kilograms,
and a much higher top speed of 3.3 meters per second. The A1 perceives its
surroundings via dual depth-sensing cameras, sending live HD video back to the
human operator - it can also operate autonomously, and in person-tracking mode.
Source 2: https://tiny.pl/r29qb
Sony followed Unitree by construct a new robotic material, called Aibo.
Sony has been developing the aibo for years with new available technologies and
is constantly improving it. The company emphasizes that the device combines
"state-of-the-art robotics with unique AI technology." The robot is
designed to "form a friendship with its owner and create cherished stories
that will last a lifetime." There wouldn't be anything unusual about this,
but in the footage you'll see a moment where aibo listens to its owner play
guitar and is clearly curious about her hobby. Sound familiar? The
"companion robot" is supposed to work in a similar way. It is
supposed to read emotions and help players in the game, and through its
reactions it is supposed to motivate players to achieve better and better
results. Dog Aibo is not the most expensive, because at the moment we have to
pay 2900 dollars for it.
During the CEATEC technology event in Tokyo, Sony unveiled a combination
of the Aibo robot and smart devices from Hitachi. The robot would be an alternative
to voice assistants, and is expected to connect via home Wi-Fi to other devices
and exercise control over them. A cybernetic dog can run the washing machine or
dryer when no one is home, but it can also bark at its owner when it gets a
signal from the washing machine that the laundry is finished.
Currently, not many people decided to get such a device, it does not
change the fact that solutions such as Aibo may in a few years prove to be
indispensable in our daily lives.
QUESTIONS:
- What do you think about the new generation of dogs (robo-dogs)?
- Do you think this is the future for next generations?
- Do you think they can help you in your daily life? Could we learn something new from them?
Sources:
[1] http://www.unitree.cc/e/action/ShowInfo.php?classid=6&id=1
For me, it’s hard to call it the new generation of dogs. In my opinion, it’s rather the new generation of animal robots that may be more similar to the real one but for sure it’s not a dog. On the other hand, I have to admit that its skills are amazing and this robot behaves in a very natural way. I don’t believe that it’s a future as real dogs don’t become less interesting and people will love them simply because they have emotions. The only area where I can think that such robot dogs can be used effectively is, for example, blind or disabled people.
ReplyDelete1. What do you think about the new generation of dogs (robo-dogs)?
ReplyDeleteI'm an animal lover! However, in my opinion, the robo-dog seems to be a very interesting toy, but only a toy. I can't imagine making a bond with
it the way we make with real living animals. Nevertheless, I believe that it would be a good test for example before buying (or adopting) a pet for a child - getting him/her used to the duties related to having a dog, cat, etc.
2. Do you think this is the future for next generations?
As I mentioned before, I don't think a robo-dog can give us a bond as
with a real animal. However, the world is constantly develping, people are living in the constant rush and there are certainly less chores with a robo dog than with a real dog, so... who knows?
3. Do you think they can help you in your daily life? Could we learn something new from them?
For sure it doesn't requires as many responsibilities as with a real animal. We also don't have to worry about feeding the robo-dog, because as it was mentioned in one of the attached videos - you feed him with virtual food. Certainly, this is some kind of "saving" time and money, but is it really taking into account considering the cost of the robo-pet itself? :)
In my opinion question asked about the importance or usefulness of robotic dogs should be a question about pros and cons of the existence of A.I in general. What do we need it for? Are we obsessed as a society with “playing God” and creating sentient beings of our own? Or in other terms, are our needs in creating artificial life based on a dire existential need or just a pure fact that we can therefore we do? In order for me to be able to assess if robotic dog could ever be considered on the same foot as a normal dog, I would have to answer myself many questions about the core of consciousness and how can I place animals on the spectrum, not to mention robotic animals. As a toy or a tool, I feel they could be useful as much as any robotic appliance that serves a purpose.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion question asked about the importance or usefulness of robotic dogs should be a question about pros and cons of the existence of A.I in general. What do we need it for? Are we obsessed as a society with “playing God” and creating sentient beings of our own? Or in other terms, are our needs in creating artificial life based on a dire existential need or just a pure fact that we can therefore we do? In order for me to be able to assess if robotic dog could ever be considered on the same foot as a normal dog, I would have to answer myself many questions about the core of consciousness and how can I place animals on the spectrum, not to mention robotic animals. As a toy or a tool, I feel they could be useful as much as any robotic appliance that serves a purpose.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I'm a bit confused with that and I find it very weird. I don't know if because I feel like nothing can replace a reale dog, I get it that it's a lot easier than having a real dog, it does not poop or leave hair everywhere, but it is a big no for me.
ReplyDeleteThe thing about a future of it, I think it is just a toy, and people will get bored with it very easily, compared to real dogs we can't put it in the corner when we get bored and for a lot of people it might work as an advantage of robo dogs. I don't think that we can learn anything from that since it is just a toy, it doesn't require us to take care of it or to really do anything, while having a real dog teach us responsibility.
No, no, no, and again no. Robots are cool and very useful, but not a robo-pet, it's nonsense. A robot assistant - yes, it will help around the house or with repairs and so on, with this I agree. A robot companion for people with disabilities - also completely agree (although in some cases the dog still cannot be replaced, such as a guide dog or a companion dog for autists). Or even a robot guard, although in this case it's 50/50 because on the one hand guard dogs have their famous "canine instinct", guard reflexes and intuition, but on the other hand, the robot can call the cops or turn on the alert, etc. I really love dogs and other animals, and therefore I think that no robot or other invention can replace a real dog and no artificial intelligence or program can replace the love and devotion that a dog gives to his human.
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly not one of those who are afraid of AI and think that robots will take over the world and destroy humanity, but still there are a lot of good and very believable films on this topic, and they make you think a little ;)
Everything always starts with good intentions, but as sayed - "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" xD
1. What do you think about the new generation of dogs (robo-dogs)?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, a robo-dog is more suitable as a toy or a tool. Current technology is not yet developed enough to more accurately reproduce the behavior of a real animal. I am curious to see what the further development of these projects will look like and how far they will go.
2. Do you think this is the future for next generations?
In my opinion, nothing can replace the bond that can be created between a living animal and a human being. At least not now, in the future, when the technology will be more advanced and allow the creation of extensive artificial intelligence and more accurate miniaturized parts, there is a chance that this will become a reality.
3. Do you think they can help you in your daily life? Could we learn something new from them?
Currently, research and tests are being carried out on how such devices can help people. An example is the Spot robo-dog created by Boston Dynamics, a few days ago the French army conducted exercises in cooperation with the aforementioned robot, whose role was to scout a dangerous area. Two identical scenarios were compared, the difference was that in one of them Spot was additionally used. In the scenario where the Spot was used, the test unit suffered fewer casualties due to the possibility of using the robot dog.
1. I think it's interesting, it could be used for keeping eye on kids, or even for farmers to guard sheep with robo-dog instead of the real ones. It's too early to give some deep opinions.
ReplyDelete2. I am not sure that true strong AI is even possible. I don't know it but I have objections, I strongly advise getting familiar with Gödel’s incompleteness theorems. Getting back to the main topic I don't think it's a future for next generations, I can't see any advantages except one. Kids would have the possibility to learn how to treat animals before getting a real pet.
3. Learn something new? I don't think so, but it's possible to use them as cameras automatically moving cameras, they could be useful in police departments, or as carrier of baggage.
Honestly, after watching both videos about aibo, I'm forced to say that I don't even like the look and design of this invention. The first impression is terrible for me, I think I've realized the fact that for now and probably still for a long time real animals won't be able to be replaced with anything, no matter how technologically advanced it would be. Sure, robo-dogs have their perks, such as not needing to eat or defecate, but as I mentioned before, the love, devotion, and attachment of a real pet to its owner cannot be fully captured by AI and it's probably decades away from this state of affairs. I don't think a robo-dog is a future-proof replacement for real pets, unless there are people who do. Some of the skills of the invention sound really cool (such as reminding, carrying objects, various ways of spending free time, etc.), but the man on the back of his head would still be aware that it's all artificial. I can't think of anything we could learn from robo-dogs.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I'm not conviced that "this is the new generation" or "this robo-dog can replace real companion." Sure, robots could helps us in many things and situations - cleaning, dangerous missions, etc. As someone said before, we would call this robots as assistants, but not pets. I agree that we cannot fully replace all the emotions and build a real bond with robots in general. Maybe in some cases with very specific circumstances (maybe some strong allergies or other health issues?), getting a robo-pet could work, but definetly not for everyone. I don't think we can learn real pet-emotions/behaviour or responsibilites from robo-dogs.
ReplyDelete1.What do you think about the new generation of dogs (robo-dogs)?
ReplyDeleteThe technology used in this project is very interesting, but I don't think this kind of gadget will ever replace real dog. I'm actually a dog person (especially big and fluffy ones) and I cannot imagine a dog without wet nose and stinky breath :).
2.Do you think this is the future for next generations?
As a dog replacement - no, as a mobile virtual assistant probably -yes.
3.Do you think they can help you in your daily life? Could we learn something new from them?
I don't think we can learn anything from robo-dogs.All technology used is well known and only thing they can do is improve them.
I think it can be used as a mobile monitoring device, maybe as new generation digital sapper.
1. I’m more „old fashined” owner of dog. Robo-dog is something unreal, I have dog and cat for a long time and I cannot imagine to replace them by robots. This idea of companion in our lives is missed. Honestly I see these animal robots only in special roles for example working with firefighters or policemen
ReplyDelete2. Absolutely not, in my opinion this idea is huge failure. Idea of robots as companions in our lives is something odd even in sci-fi (for me). I think nowadays people want animal companions without any training or making relationship which needs work and patience. There are still things that we cannot buy that’s includes companions in our lives.
3. As I said before. Robo-animals can be very useful for emergency services or police.
The idea is curious itself. I would like to see one live. The thing is I do not consider this robo-dog as a friend. I own a dog and I just cannot imagine replacing my dog with a robot.
ReplyDeleteDo I consider this as a future? In a way, yes I do. As I mentioned before, for me, robot is not a friend, it is a device. Devices should help us on daily basis. This robo-dog is a perfect example how technology can make our lives easier. I see plenty of useful aspects of robo-dog, from carrying our things, through powering our personal devices, to giving information about surroundings or numerous dangers around us.
I m not very into it. For me none robot can replace real pet, what is most beautiful about having a dog is even not a relationship you create, you cares on. Having at the end of my mind that this is a live being that im responsible for and i need to care about it. This is something that cannot be replaced by AI and new generation of “toys”. Only case that might push me into this idea is a Robot - not a “robot dog “ that might help in daily responsibilities in your houses. Idea of having a such thing in our facilities that might do some stuff on our behalf when for example we are out is very interesting and I would invest any money to have it- as time is something on what i care the most and such solution might significantly decrease time consuming daily tasks.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of robo-dogs as machines which are designed to help us and also as our companions. Yes, I think this might be the future for next generations. Looking at the development of technology we can expect such machines to be present at almost every household. I think they can help us in our daily lives, especially they can be helpful in some of our everyday duties at home. Maybe one day with the proper advancement robo-dogs will be helpful for people with some disabilities such as blindness. Of course, we can learn something new from them, in my opinion it is possible to learn from any kind of technological novelty.
ReplyDelete