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Of course, depending on who the pet is for, the form your robot is going to take will differ. We'll be going over 10 adorable and entertaining robot pets, including our favorite, Torch, My Blazin' Dragon because he can breathe flame mist, roast a marshmallow, be cuddled, and respond with over 50 noise-and-sound combinations. Read on for our buying guide to learn what to look for when choosing the perfect pet for you.
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Table of Contents
Is the pet for you, your kid, or an older relative? Are you looking for laughs or educational opportunities or something soothing to stroke? Keep the pet owner in mind when deciding which robot pet is the best for you.
In general, most robot pets are made of plastic or are fur covered, which affects how advanced and how cuddly the pet is.
You can’t nuzzle or cuddle with plastic pets since they are made of hard materials. But what they give up in physical appearance and tactile experience, they make up for in mobility and behavior. They can be quite dexterous, dancing, turning backflips, flicking their little tails, or getting ready to pounce.
They’re also more autonomous than their furry counterparts. Because plastic is sturdier, these robots can wander around the house and get into all kinds of mischief without falling apart.
So if you want to feel like you’re actually communicating with your pet, go with plastic, as the technology is more sophisticated. Some of them will follow you around the house, begging for treats. Others will perk up at the sound of your voice, and some of them you can even teach them new tricks.
You'll just need to watch where you let them walk because they could become a tripping hazard or fall and get damaged unless there's a sensor that prevents it from falling.
If you want something to hold close to your chest, then get a pet robot with fur. They’re really cute and easy to love. Plus they are softer and more therapeutic than plastic pets. The one downside is that they don’t move much. They usually lie in place, turn their heads, twitch their ears, blink, and sometimes move a few limbs.
Some robot pets with fur are still made of hard plastic, so be sure to find a pet that is truly soft and snuggly. Also, check where the motor is located because that might affect the cuddliness of the pet.
There are also fuzzy robot companions for the elderly who can’t take care of real pets. These stand-ins recreate the physical feel of a pet; they might mimic the vibrations of a purr, for example, which alleviates stress, or the soft thump of a heartbeat.
Communication is a two-way interaction. And robots pets cover this by having multiple sensors included in the design so that they can react to your movements, voice, or touch.
A lot of pet robots have touch sensors located throughout their bodies. For example, a cat may purr when scratched behind the ears or a dog might bark or wag his tail when a hand is laid on his back. These sensors make interactions more realistic, soothing, or fun.
The more sensors a robot has, the more varied its responses get, so it's something to keep in mind if your child tends to quickly get bored of new toys.
If you want your pet to roll over when you tell it to roll over, make sureite has sound sensors. And though you may not decide to purchase the pet with the most sophisticated sensor, even robots with simple sound sensors can bark when you call their names or turn their faces to you when you’re speaking.
There are also robots that can “see” or sense their environment and react to it with the aid of vision sensors. Some have cameras built-in that help them navigate your house, dodging walls and table legs. And if you want to feel really close to your pet, some even offer facial recognition.
If you want to actually train your pet, you’re going to need something with advanced AI. An AI pup, for example, can learn its own name and run over when you call it. If you want to feel like you’re raising an honest-to-goodness pet, then you have to invest in the technology.
Some robots are programmable, allowing you to design commands and actions that the pet can follow. As a bonus, programmable pets expose kids to basic coding skills.
Some pets fueled by artificial intelligence (AI) are spirited and mischievous and even grow over time personality-wise. They might come up with new games to play, learn new skills, or add new behaviors. If your pet’s constantly changing, then you or your child won't get bored because there will be new features to engage with.
One thing to be aware of is that smarter pets tend to update through apps. You'll need a compatible device and have to go through the trouble of downloading the app then syncing the pet.
Also, consider whether the robot needs to be connected to a device at all times since those logistics could be complicated if your child needs WiFi and the app to be running to play with their pet.
There are even more realistic, or amusing features that pets may have, such as the ability to poop or dance. These can be quite entertaining for kids. Plus they teach them responsibilities, such as learning how to care for and pick up after their pets.
When you're playing with a pet, you generally don't want it to stop in the middle of play. The first thing to check when dealing with charging your robot pet is to check how it's powered. You'll want to check the type of batteries, whether they're included, and if they're rechargeable. If it's powered by USB cable, make sure you have a convenient charging spot.
You'll also want to check out how long it takes it to charge, how long the battery life is, and if there’s any kind of indicator of how much power is remaining. Make sure that the batteries can last a good 15 minutes or more at least, depending on the age of your child. Of course, longer is better, though. Also, note that an automated sleep mode will also keep your pet running for longer.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | FurReal Friends Torch, My Blazin’ Dragon | $286.00 High Mid | This Cute Baby Dragon Breathes Steam | ||
2 | ROBOTIS KIDSLAB Build Your Own Pet with a Robotics Kit | $49.95 Mid | Build Your Own Remote-Controlled Pets | ||
3 | JOY FOR ALL Silver Cat with White Mitts | $99.99 Mid | A Healing Companion Cat That Really Purrs | ||
4 | FurReal Friends Pax, My Poopin’ Pup Plush Toy | $24.99 Low Mid | Lots of Poop, Bathroom Noises, and Laughs | ||
5 | JOY FOR ALL Companion Pet Golden Pup | $119.00 High Mid | Pet a Puppy and Feel Its Heart Beat | ||
6 | Robo Alive Lurking Lizard | $12.99 Low | Watch This Lizard Scurry Around and Look for Prey | ||
7 | WEofferwhatYOUwant Electronic Pet Dog Interactive Puppy Harry | $20.89 Low Mid | A Singing and Talking Robot Dog | ||
8 | Anki Cozmo | $599.00 High | Play Games and Program With a Robot | ||
9 | WowWee Miposaur | $45.00 Mid | A Mischievous Dinosaur That Can Be Played With in Three Ways | ||
10 | DEERC Remote Control Dog | $54.99 Mid | A Wireless Programmable Dog With LED Eyes |
Some reviewers noted that the dragon's novelty does wear off quite quickly and there isn't much other interactivity. It's also not super cuddly since it's partially made of plastic. A few reviewers reported damaged packaging or defects upon arrival. Note that distilled water is recommended but not included for filling the tank.
However, happy reviewers thought the dragon was adorable. They liked his realistic movements, the misting, and the color-changing marshmallow. A couple of buyers noted that the sounds were not annoying to adult ears.
Thanks to a plate-and-rivet system and a remote control, these pets come to life via wheel- and joint-based movement. You can download the ROBOTIS R+ Design app so your kids can find more pet designs, refer to 3D animated instructions or create digital models. Building each figure should take between 20 and 40 minutes.
Some reviewers found the cat's movements jerky and the meowing unrealistic. You can use the switch to mute the cat so it won't meow. Other reviewers didn't like the whirring and clicking sounds from the motor. Several people mentioned that the body, especially the ears, is too hard and not soft to pet. Other frustrated buyers said their cat quickly stopped functioning.
Happy reviewers said the fur is soft and thought the purring vibrations were realistic. The owners enjoyed interacting with the cat, which provided comfort and company. This robot cat was a great pet alternative for people with allergies or dementia. Other buyers liked that the cat can go into "sleep mode" and be slept with.
Give Pax one of his treats, and he'll make munching and happy puppy sounds. Take him for a walk, and he might bark! His leash is long enough that he can be walked on the floor, but because the leash can be shortened, he can also be played with on the table. Even better, his fur is soft!
Note that you should only feed Pax the included treats because other items could get stuck. Several buyers commented that treats and poop pellets are small and easy to lose. Some also said both Pax and the leash were too hard. However, satisfied buyers said young kids were a fan of the pooping and bathroom noises and found the toy hilarious.
Some reviewers said this dog is not the best for cuddling because it is stiff and not very soft. Other reviewers didn't like the unrealistic mechanical noises. Some buyers pointed out that the on, off, and mute switch might be difficult for elderly people to operate by themselves. Others were disappointed about the limited number of actions.
If you prefer reptiles, this lizard might be your next pet. It's designed to look and move as lifelike as possible. This lizard has glaring eyes and a realistic rubber tail and head. It scurries speedily like a real lizard. You can even tilt its neck and, thanks to a sensor, it will stop and look for prey.
Some reviewers said the lizard quickly stopped working, and others were upset that their lizard didn't work upon arrival. A few others said the lizard was too noisy and a couple of reviewers said putting in the batteries was a struggle.
Buyers were pleased with the speed of the lizard. It keeps moving even when it's turned upside down on its back, which a couple of buyers' children found entertaining. Other reviewers complimented the lifelike eyes and the bright blue and red colors.
A few reviewers did not like that the easiest way to pick up this dog was by his tail, which prompted Harry to yelp and say "Oh, no, stop it!" Others said the toy was annoying for adults and the volume was too high and frustratingly not adjustable. Some reviewers wished the toy were more engaging and interactive.
Happy buyers say that the dog is quite sturdy and can survive falls and rough play. They said their children were entertained playing with Harry and liked dancing with him. A few reviewers reported that this was a good toy for autistic children.
Through the app, you can also learn coding skills to program Cozmo to perform any action. The app is updated frequently, so Cozmo is always gaining new skills and coming up with new ways to play. It takes 12 minutes for Cozmo to fully charge via a USB cable, and he can last one to two hours before needing to be recharged.
Some reviewers were unable to pair the robot with the app or had trouble keeping Cozmo connected. Others had charging difficulties and issues with faulty cubes. However, happy buyers felt Cozmo was a great learning tool and interactive companion for kids, especially since they can get experience with coding.
Although certainly not a typical pet, this robot dinosaur is an intelligent one with a mischievous personality. It can show three different emotions: excitement, curiosity, and annoyance. Depending on its mood, it will respond to your hand gestures differently.
The dinosaur is programmed to follow the included Trackball with sensors, so you can take it on a walk, play games, or make it dance and beat-box. For more play and interaction, download the app so you can give more commands and watch the Miposaur respond. You can feed it, send it to battle with other dinosaurs, or trace a path for it to follow.
Some reviewers said the tail kept falling off and the Miposaur struggled to stay upright on his own. Other reviewers had issues with the Miposaur's responsiveness, including malfunctioning Trackballs, and found the app underwhelming. Satisfied reviewers liked the dinosaur's spunky personality, and the dancing was a big hit.
A few buyers said the battery life was terrible, yielding only 10 to 15 minutes of play. One reviewer mentioned that instructions were not very clear, especially the part about how to program the dog. Some also reported issues with the remote control and gesture sensor. Keep in mind you and the remote must be within 33 feet of the robot.
On the other hand, satisfied buyers said the dog moved smoothly on its wheels and mimicked real dog moments. Kids and adults alike were entertained by the singing and dancing features, and adults said their kids found using the controls easy.
Toys can be fun and also help your child develop important skills, foster creativity, and find new interests and hobbies. Check out our buying guides below for more engaging toys for your kids.
No. 1: FurReal Friends|Torch, My Blazin’ Dragon
No. 2: ROBOTIS KIDSLAB|Build Your Own Pet with a Robotics Kit
No. 3: JOY FOR ALL|Silver Cat with White Mitts
No. 4: FurReal Friends|Pax, My Poopin’ Pup Plush Toy
No. 5: JOY FOR ALL|Companion Pet Golden Pup
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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