They have everything of a real cat … well almost. As The Guardian reports, somewhat special animals have appeared in certain libraries in the Blue Mountains region, Australia. These are metacats, therapeutic robotic pets.
They look like rag, these cats with white coat stained with brown. But what impresses are his two animated blue eyes, which seem directly outside a science fiction movie. And, for more realism, a very soft fur and an artificial heart have been added.
Like royal cats, metacats can do and snort. Thanks to the sensors integrated into the head and body, cats react to human touch and interact with realistic movements with certain vocal controls. For example, when they are told “I love you metacats”, their eyes light up with hearts.
A great success
The objective of these replicas of life size? Bring comfort and help reduce stress, especially for children or people with anxiety and dementia. “Robot animals, or real pets, can help children feel safe and appreciated,” says associated professor Alyssa Milton, a mental health expert at Sydney University.
Quickly, robots had an unexpected success with young Australians who do not hesitate to queue to hug the metacats. But major residents have also been seduced. “A high percentage of older people live alone in the blue mountains and comes to the library to keep them company,” observes Dr. Rosemary Dillon, CEO of the Blue Mountains Municipal Council. “It will be an additional means of interaction for them.”
Metacats will continue to travel through the libraries of the region. Then they will definitely settle in two libraries of the blue mountains.
Source: BFM TV
