Pets! Your Days Are Numbered!

I've posted a few threads here on ATS but never one in the Pets forum. Not that I don't own or like pets, it's just that my pets are generally healthy, not particularly adorable and I don't think that among the lot of them, they know a single decent trick.

And that's what makes them prime candidates for replacement with the future in pet technology (upon their natural deaths you monsters!). A Japanese firm, Yukai Engineering, unveiled its latest creation at CEATEC and once you see it, I think you'll agree that it's poised to revolutionize pet ownership.

Introducing Qoobo, the "tail-wagging therapy" robot cushion pillow thing.



Robotic pets are of course nothing new and as a concept, they've been with us for a while, but they haven't exactly managed to wag their servo driven tails into the hearts of millions. While a total lack of a digestive track is certainly an appealing feature, previous robotic pets such as Sony's AIBO have proven to be less than cuddly — unless of course, you find cold plastic things cuddly. (I don't judge)

Qoobo designers on the other hand eschewed all the fancy AI, the constellation of sensors and the programmable behavior, putting the focus squarely on cuddliness. After all, shouldn't a pet be pettable? (petable? I dunno, I'm making up words as I go along)

But that's not all they've done away with in their innovative, back-to-basics design for Qoobo.



Legs? Who needs em? Heads? What good are heads for a furry, legless robotic blob that doesn't eat? No good. That's what. Clearly, all people really want in a pet is a soft body to hug (or not), fur to stroke and a tail that tells the owner that his pet is digging the whole interaction.

See this guy in the this picture? He hates animals. (I assume) I mean hates them. He's allergic to cats. (I'm guessing) Dogs always bite him. (could be true) And I won't even tell you about the horror story with the snake. (because I don't know it)

But look at him now — a happy pet owner at last!



Awwwww!

Qoobo is being crowdfunded and considering the multitude of awesome advances, I assume it will be totally funded in no time at all. Its creators plan to ship the first batch in 2018 and expect it to retail for the unbelievably low price of $100.

With a price that, once could easily afford several. And they're guaranteed to get along. You too can become a Qoobo herder or a "Qoobo herder" if you prefer.

I have a few suggestions for the designers: make it purr, toss in a heating element so its warm and change the named to 'Qat' and it's done deal. Yay future!

**disclaimer: No. Just no. Also the author reminds readers that he shouldn't be taken seriously. This is clearly an abomination and must be destroyed.

EDIT:

Almost forgot, source of images here.

It won't work. It doesn't have eyes. People who own animals at one point another talks to the animal. Some crazy dogs might act like what you think dogs act when you talk to them but some times they just come to you. They know when your sad. They see it in your eyes. I have trouble believing it since they are just an animal but emotions run deep in life of all sizes and shapes.

That's a robot....just because I don't think it will work doesn't mean it won't. How can you love and talk to a pillow..just because the tail wags...that's not the reason I talk to my dog.

That's just my opinion and it has no value.

a reply to: ConscienceZombie

Are you a human being who owns or may own a pet? Well then of course your opinion has value! I agree for the record, this thing is doomed.

I think they grossly misunderstand the relationship between people and their pets.

originally posted by: ConscienceZombie
It won't work. It doesn't have eyes. People who own animals at one point another talks to the animal. Some crazy dogs might act like what you think dogs act when you talk to them but some times they just come to you. They know when your sad. They see it in your eyes. I have trouble believing it since they are just an animal but emotions run deep in life of all sizes and shapes.

That's a robot....just because I don't think it will work doesn't mean it won't. How can you love and talk to a pillow..just because the tail wags...that's not the reason I talk to my dog.

That's just my opinion and it has no value.

It might work for people in an Asylum or to traumatize kids.

originally posted by: theantediluvian
a reply to: ConscienceZombie

Are you a human being who owns or may own a pet? Well then of course your opinion has value! I agree for the record, this thing is doomed.

I think they grossly misunderstand the relationship between people and their pets.

In a world of Facebook and Twitter with media making people think that their opinions matter is an illusion. But that's a different topic for another time. I want my opinion to have no value. It's just a thought about something about something.

I do think there is a small majority of lonely people out there that this might work. I couldn't find a word for it so I'll call it robopillia. I bet is a thing to someone somewhere.

If it does fly off the handles. Where would it end? Rob girl/boy friend....the first robot human marriage...that will open a can of worms

a reply to: theantediluvian
Pets are dangerous.

Symptoms of a sick society. Too pet rock ish for me.

I'D get rid of my kids and husband first before I would get rid of my cats.

a reply to: theantediluvian

Remember Furbies?

originally posted by: lisame
I'D get rid of my kids and husband first before I would get rid of my cats.

I think we're soul mates.

That scared the living heck out of me.

Not realistic. Real cats are nice and cuddly for one min then bite you and scratch you and run sway till food time...

a reply to: theantediluvian

my pets are generally healthy, not particularly adorable and I don't think that among the lot of them, they know a single decent trick.

I don't think it's legal to keep those people as "pets," but I won't tell.

Not that I don't own or like pets, it's just that my pets are generally healthy

Oh, you feed them the raw (backwoods range) meat diet of Trump supporters and bowls of liberal tears. Gotcha.

a reply to: theantediluvian


Cool a Tribble with a tail.


Introducing Qoobo, the "tail-wagging therapy" robot cushion pillow thing. This made me LOL....thanks

Weirdos. Eat all you pets and make fake ones?

This thing is creepy. Good for young kids though.

Not gonna work.
It's stupid to think we just like wagging tails. A dog wags it's tale when happy, a cat well it's usually pissed off.

Also it's hair is fake.

Personally it's not the tail I'm attracted to. It's the head, you know the part with the face and the eyes and the sweet way a cat looks up at you, opens its mouth like a little chickadee in its nest, meowing for something (ok bossing)

Then there's that part where it gives off body heat cuddling up to you in bed on a cold winters night and the whole personality thing going on.

This thing is just an ugly pillow.

a reply to: theantediluvian

We humans are some sick puppies.

I wouldn't call a $100 price tag "unbelievably low"
Sorry but I can't see sane people investing in this headless fake pet or ugly pillow with a tail.

a reply to: theantediluvian

They need to make one that can do 'this' and doesnt piss everywhere:

originally posted by: lisame
I'D get rid of my kids and husband first before I would get rid of my cats.

Eek!