Example of essay on similarities and differences between robots and animal pets

The world we live in, especially the time we live in is full of new technological wonders. It is hard to believe that almost fifteen years ago we did not have Internet; fast and powerful computers, yet light; smartphones; social networking (Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and many others. I can hardly imagine myself without using them. They have influenced our lives positively and negatively. But there is one thing that I can say with confidence: these little things have made our lives much more easier in terms of communication, studying, developing ourselves.
“ With the rise of the Internet, we coined the notion of a “ virtual world” as a means to distinguish a new, unfamiliar arena from our usual daily life” (David Bruemer 2006, p 201). I do agree with this statement, however, the negative influence is here as well: some people get too obsessed with this ‘ internet-technological’ way of life. They prefer to spend their free time on-line, texting, facebooking, rather than spending it with friends in real world, communicating in the regular way.
Anyway, the time with technological progress on its wings has made the dream of many people to come true, that is creating of artificial intelligence. Manufacturers started to use robotic mechanism shortly after the transistor was discovered (transistor is an electronic semiconductor device, without which we would not be able to have modern fast computers, cellphones and many other things). General Motors company equipped it’s assembly line with the first industrial robot in 1961.
Speaking of the robotic pets, their story began in 1998, when the revolutionary toy-robot came out. It was gremlin-like pet “ Furby”. It was quite successful in terms of selling and brought a huge revenue to it’s creator. Shortly after the succession of “ Furby”, in 1999 Sony launched its product AIBO – if we translate it from Japanese it means companion ( the first robot that looks like a pet. It was a dog). “ Worried about being all alone in your old age? A robot companion could be the solution” (Kathleen Richardson 2007, p. 205). Interesting fact that this robot was approved by medical research for seniors and handicapped people as a suitable emotional companion. Unfortunately, the project was shut down in 2006. After AIBO new wonderful pets came out! For example robotic dogs Rover and Puppy, which were more technically developed than AIBO.
With all these interesting robots couple of questions arises: For what purpose were they created? And will they replace regular animal pets?
Animals have been around us for several thousands of years already, since the man has domesticated a dog. From that moment we are inseparable during our lives. On the one hand humans depended on animals – they helped a lot while hunting, protected the tribe. But on the other one – the situation has changed nowadays. Dogs and other domestic animals depend on us. We keep them as a companion, as a friend, a part of the family, for entertaining ourselves. Additionally, for some individuals it is a test on how they can deal with other live being, because it needs to be raised and ‘ educated’ properly. Our pets have done a good job in keeping us from being alone and just being there, when you need someone or something. With the advancement of robotic technologies robots-pets seem like are able to take their position. They are good companions also, they will gladly keep you from being bored and alone.
Nevertheless, animals and robots have a lot of differences. Both have acquired advantages and disadvantages. Speaking of animals – you have to take them for a walk every single morning, you need to put love and attention into this small living being in order to bring up an obedient pet. Another issue with them is that they can get ill and moreover they eventually die. This becomes really hard for us because this pet was not just a dog, was not a toy, it became a member of the family, beloved one. It will be hard to replace the loss with the new pet. In my opinion it is hard to call all the mentioned points above as disadvantages of regular pets, but we have what we have.
As for the robotic pets – they are smart, intelligent from the very beginning, from the moment you turn them on for the first time. It is easy to control them by means of programming and simply switching them on/off. They do not need you to be around them all the time, they will gladly entertain you and be your companion anytime and anywhere. These amazing creatures do not need you to feed them, take them for a walk. They will not get ill. The only issue that can happen is some kind of a breakage, but it is easy to fix. But due to all these facts “ We have to be careful how we use the term ‘ relationship’; “ I have a relationship with my car, but it is not the same as a relationship with a human” (Kerstin Dautenhahn 2007, p 206).
After reading the 3 articles that I have been provided I got a clear image, of what possibly is going to happen in robotic sphere in the future and if relationship between Robots and Humans is possible. Writers did a good job in terms of showing the new robots that are on the market right now and giving pros and cons of such kind of a relationship.
Overall, to my mind it is not possible to compare these two different creatures. One is created with the help of God, another one – by human. Animal with time becomes the part of the family, while the robot is still a toy.
Robots do not have the soul, they are emotionless. In my understanding soul, individuality and character with emotions are the decisive factors, when we choose our friends, second half, companion.
Therefore, we do not know for sure, if robots will replace animals, but they will surely become important part of the society, especially in manufacture and production, as they reduce the risk of human mistake significantly. We will never know, but the future will prompt.