Robotic cats and dogs could replace original ones

According to an Australian university professor, it is possible to replace cats and dogs with the robotic kind throughout the world by 2025. As per Dr Jean-Loup Rault from the University of Melbourne, as the world's population increases, real animals will be available just for the wealthy people. According to him, chips and circuits may help bringing robotic versions of cats and dogs.

As per Dr. Rault, "It might sound surreal for us to have robotic or virtual pets, but it could be totally normal for the next generation. It's not a question of centuries from now. We are already seeing people form strong emotional bonds with robot dogs in Japan". Dr. Rault has published his prediction in the latest edition of Frontiers in Veterinary Science journal.

According to him, people are developing attachment with their robot dog; they are becoming so attached that when robots' circuits die, they hold funerals for them. Dr. Rault tried to explain how technology could have an impact on the relationships between humans and animals in the future.

He said that there is not much research on pet robotics, but if one finds out regarding the topic on Google, it could be seen that there are several patents. He said that people want to progress in the field since there is a market and it is expected to develop in the next 10 to 15 years. In the past two years, Google has already shown huge interest by snapping up robotics companies throughout the world. And this somehow gives evidence to support Dr. Rault's prediction.

Google has acquired home smart appliances maker Nest Labs and Boston Dynamics, manufacturers of Wild Cat and the humanoid Atlas robots. Dr. Rault said that robots can definitely trigger human emotions.