Robot Dog

During class, we watched some YouTube videos about robot dogs. One of them was for entertainment, advertised as a companion that matches up to the companionship of a real dog. It can be fed, it can walk, it can do tricks, etc. It is programmed to respond to outside stimuli, which makes it seem more life-like, or rather, more dog-like. However, I do not think this pet robot would ever be able to match the reality of a real dog, just as robots designed to interact with people may seem real, but don't quite match the dynamic relationship possible between real people or people and animals.

Another robot dog we watched has more of a military purpose. It seems this robot could be helpful in the future, but it still seems extremely awkward and gangly. I feel that robots, as a result of technology, are more useful as tools rather than companions.