Some are amused, others can't find words when faced with this robot equipped with legs and hands which is holding a dog on a leash. The animal barely seems disturbed, and the moment is part of a certain normality. The scene created a buzz, and opinions on the question of humanoid robots in our daily lives are widely debated.
An event that creates a buzz
If the video circulated a lot on social networks, explains The Messengerthe presence of the robot is not clearly explained. We could assume that his stroll in the park is linked to an event organized by a research laboratory, a university or a large company.
The aim seems to be to gain visibility, and to understand how this potential new robotic inhabitant fits into public space.
A technological feat
From a technological point of view, the achievement is a real technological achievement. The robot seems to follow the dog's movements, adapting, more or less, to its rhythm. The short video does not allow us to evaluate the reaction of the humanoid robot in the event of an obstacle or imminent danger.
If some passers-by are amazed, others remain doubtful, and even outraged by what they are seeing. The comments also point in this direction. On TikTok for example, many people express their disagreement.
@blick_media Rather unusual scene at the Jardin Anglais, in Geneva. A humanoid robot was seen taking a leisurely stroll… with a dog on a leash. The sequence, shared on TikTok, shows the astonishing duo strolling, under the gaze of passers-by. #robot #geneva #ia #artificialintelligence #blick? original sound – Blick News & Sport
Questioning ethics
If the question of the safety of the animal arises, that of the usefulness of this type of service is added. Indeed, if certain robots are designed to replace the carrying out of tasks considered difficult, this is not the case with a dog that must be walked, and which needs to maintain social links, in particular with its owner or humans. Using a robotic walker would reduce dog walking to a meaningless, purely utilitarian moment.
It would seem that the scene, intended to generate buzz, does not aim to generalize this type of practice which questions animal ethics and the consideration of our companions who are already redoubled their efforts to adapt to our world.