AI Pets – Virtual Companions with Real Feelings?

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Imagine returning home after a long day, and your digital pet greets you — wagging its tail, recognizing your tone, and even responding to your emotions. Thanks to emotional AI and advanced machine learning, these virtual beings are evolving from simple programs into companions that feel real.

Everyday Conversation – 日常会話

🗣️ User: “Hey Momo, I’m feeling a bit tired today.”
🐾 AI Pet: 「だいじょうぶ？」(Daijōbu?) “Are you okay?”
🗣️ User: “Just need a break. Can you play my favorite song?”
🐾 AI Pet: 「もちろん！」(Mochiron!) “Of course!” 🎶

Cultural and Technological Background

In Japan, the idea of building emotional bonds with non-human beings has a deep cultural history. From Sony’s AIBO in 1999 to Tamagotchi in the 1990s, people have long embraced digital companionship.

1. AIBO – The First Robot Dog with Personality

Sony’s AIBO wasn’t just a gadget — it learned, remembered, and expressed “emotions.” Many owners even held funerals for their AIBOs when the machines stopped working, a powerful reflection of human empathy toward AI. (BBC: Robot dogs given Buddhist funerals)

2. Tamagotchi – The Beginning of Digital Empathy

In 1996, Bandai’s Tamagotchi taught millions that you could care about a digital lifeform. Its popularity showed that emotional engagement doesn’t need a physical body — just interaction, attention, and imagination.

3. LOVOT and Qoobo – The Modern Emotional Tech

Today, Japan leads again with AI-powered companions like LOVOT (by Groove X) and Qoobo (by Yukai Engineering). LOVOT blinks, responds to warmth, and seeks hugs. Qoobo, a cushion with a wagging tail, calms users through gentle movement. They show how technology can nurture emotional well-being rather than just provide utility.

Looking Ahead

As emotional AI continues to advance, the boundary between digital and real affection becomes more blurred. Maybe one day, your virtual pet won’t just understand your feelings — it might help you understand your own.