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(Answer: $80.) While some companies like Sony struggled with the quirks of recreating a dog’s personality, the company Gizoo set their ambitions a little lower. A lot lower. They’ve created the first robotic guinea pig, with sensors to let it know when it’s being cuddled and stroked, when it’s daytime or night, and where things are around it (so it knows what not to bump into when it’s scampering about). The most interesting thing about the guinea pig is that it supposedly adapts to how it’s being treated. Pet it too infrequently and it’ll act shy and skittish, but give it some good lovin’ and, well, it’ll just sit around quivering. Oh, and it will “be less likely to run away.” Comforting. Click here to read more, via OhGizmo.
Can’t wait until I can have my own electric sheep.
posted by jen on 5-10-2007 at 6:18 pm
Well, this is either really cool or really creepy. Hmmm.
Is the carrot robotic also? Hmmm
Made up my mind. It’s creepy
posted by JaneM on 5-10-2007 at 7:17 pm
yay! maybe now my mommy will say i can have a pet.
posted by trouble on 5-10-2007 at 7:48 pm
Well, it’s got to be better than those clunky FurReal Friends things. My little sister has one in each style up to GoGo. (The “walking” dog.)
posted by Pointy-Hatted Geek on 5-10-2007 at 8:25 pm