Technologies have dominated human life – from cleaning robots to automated couriers delivering packages. On top of that, telephones in which the ability to make a phone call has long since become just an add-on to complement their versatility and universality. Devices that were supposed to make life easier are enclosing us in digital bubbles. They attract attention, pull us away from direct conversations and slowly replace the company of other people. After all, when was the last time we met with friends without looking at a screen every now and then?
But it doesn’t only affect us. In the digital age, a new idea has emerged – can technology be a companion not only for humans, but also for our pets? Will cats, which are known for their independence, accept a robot as a new “friend”? This was the question researchers and artists faced when they created the Cat Royale project – an unusual experiment in which three cats spent 12 days in the company of a specially designed robot. The robot’s task? Entertain, interest, maybe even befriend the purring heroes.
Where did the idea of a cat playing with a robot come from?
The idea for the Cat Royale project was born from observing how much technology has dominated human life. The creators of Cat Royale decided to take it a step further and ask themselves: as robots are entering people’s daily lives, can they also find a place in the lives of animals? But instead of testing this on a large scale, the researchers decided to create a “miniature utopia” – an enclosed space where, for 12 days, three cats would be free to interact with a robot programmed to provide them with entertainment.
The project was part of an artistic and scientific experiment to test whether a robot could actually enrich the lives of domestic pets, much like various types of toys or interactive gadgets. In addition, the researchers wanted to test how such a device would affect the behavior of cats and whether they would be interested in such a form of play at all. The whole thing took the form of a show, in which scientists, artists and the public could observe how the “cat experiment” was going. The project involved 3 cats: Clover, Pumpkin and Ghostbuster
Special space for cats – luxury cat world
The Cat Royale project called for the creation of a unique space that would not only provide comfort for the cats, but also allow them to freely explore their surroundings and, just as importantly, decide the level of interaction with the robot. The space was designed like a feline luxury apartment: elaborate climbing platforms, high-slung shelves, and secluded hideaways where the cats could rest and observe the robot from a safe distance. You could say they had full “cat power” over when to approach the robot and when to ignore it.
The cats quickly took control of their new space. They were often seen climbing up onto shelves and carefully watching the robot from high up, waiting for the right moment to come down and play. Some could be seen treating the robot as an intruder, while others approached it with interest, especially when it waved a toy or gave a treat. The cats were free to retreat or interact at any time. They could always walk away to a “safe corner” when they didn’t feel comfortable.
Robot – feline playmate
The main “hero” of the experiment was a robot designed to provide entertainment for cats. Equipped with a mechanical arm that could move in different directions, the robot offered cats a whole range of activities. It could wave a feather, drag a toy across the floor and even throw treats – all to encourage the cats to interact. It also had a built-in machine learning system that helped it analyze the cats’ reactions and adjust its actions to increase their interest.
Although the robot was meant to entertain the cats, sometimes it was the cats that seemed to “play” a cat-and-mouse game with it – coming up, watching, and then walking away as if nothing had happened. It was like a theater full of humor and feline personality.
With a cat not so easy
Some moments from the Cat Royale experiment could boldly make it into the cat version of comedy films. One example was when one of the cats decided to “beat” the robot by pulling on the toy with such force that the mechanical arm had to stop to avoid a collision. Robots may be intelligent, but in the face of cat stubbornness they are often helpless! Another time, when a robot was offering toys, one of the cats was playing so enthusiastically that the robot had to stop its actions because the cat decided to take the toy and…. just run away with it.
There were also times when the cats ignored the robot’s efforts with complete nonchalance. It was enough for him to wave a feather, and the cats sat indifferently, looking somewhere far above his “head”, as if they did not notice his presence at all. These were moments that perfectly demonstrated feline independence – a trait that cat owners know all too well.
What was the result of the experiment?
The experiment provided the researchers with quite a few “valuable” observations that – in theory – could help with the design of animal technology in the future. The first was the discovery that the key to success is complete freedom for cats to decide when and how long they want to interact with the robot. Probably every cat owner already knows this – a cat will not respond to “entertainment” that occurs against its will.
Researchers found out the hard way that technology, although it can positively influence animals, will always have to face cat variability. So it’s safe to say that the results of the experiment are impressive… at least until they meet the cat’s moods!
What does the future hold for cats?
I have mixed feelings about such experiments and their possible impact on the future. More and more people are suffering from various disorders indirectly caused by technology. At first glance, it seems that it keeps us in constant contact with the world, but in reality we are increasingly separated from it. Instead of talking, we scroll; instead of visiting friends, we click “like.”
So, if in the future we decide to also reduce our relationships with animals to automated interactions, and replace play time with a pet with a robot to provide entertainment, this could lead to even more isolation – both ours and that of our pets. After all, cats and dogs accompany us not only as a pleasant backdrop to our lives, but as beings with whom we bond. Playing together is not only entertainment, but also communication and relationship-building that we create every day. Do we really want to give that up?”
Don’t give up, cat people! As robots try to take their place in the lives of our furry companions, remember that nothing can replace your shared moment of fun. At the end of the day, a robot may wave a feather and throw treats, but it will never replace the authentic bond and emotion that is formed between a human and his pet.
The event description is based on the article “Designing Multispecies Worlds for Robots, Cats, and Humans”. Details and the full source text can be found here. Images used in the article are from the source text: “Designing Multispecies Worlds for Robots, Cats, and Humans” [publication page].
