There's a good (robot) boy.

In this article from New Scientist, the author discusses the development of intelligent robot animals as companions to replace traditional pets. The carbon footprint of pets was becoming a concern, with over a billion dogs in the world causing ecological damage. Intelligent robot animals, powered by machine learning, were created to provide companionship without the environmental impact. These robots were designed to bond with humans and learn and interact with them over time. They were built without internet connectivity to address privacy concerns, and their bodies were made with soft materials and artificial fur to mimic the feeling of real pets. The article also explores the ethical considerations and emotional connections that people develop with these artificial pets. [Extracted from the article]