A robot dog that doesn't pee or poop and always comes when you call

Robotic Companions

You’ve chosen to imagine a robot dog that never pees, never poops, and always comes when you call. You might want to learn more about robotic companions, machines designed to interact with us in social and playful ways. Your robot dog always comes when called, but its metal fur sure feels weird!

Fun Facts:

In 1940, Sparko the robot dog amazed World’s Fair visitors by barking, sitting, begging, and wagging his tail.
Sony launched its AIBO robot dog in 1999, and the first 3,000 sold in Japan were ordered within 20 minutes.
Japan’s PARO robot seal can learn its name and respond when people pet it.

Robotic Companions

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This scenario explores robotic companions, robots made to interact with us socially. They can respond to our voices, touches, movements, or actions. Some are built for play, while others are tested for comfort and care. Future robot dogs could become much more lifelike and helpful. But for now, even though your robot dog always comes when called, its metal fur sure feels weird!

Fun Facts:

Sparko joined Westinghouse’s robot Elektro at the 1940 New York World’s Fair. Sparko could sit, beg, bark, wag his tail, and turn his head.
Sony’s first AIBO robot dog could learn from people and develop different behaviors over time. The original model launched in 1999 as a robot made for home entertainment.
Scientists in Japan began developing PARO the robot seal in 1993. The fluffy robot was later tested in hospitals and care centers in several countries.
Tombot’s robotic dog Jennie was designed with help from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Its head and neck are built to move more like a living dog.
In a 2025 study in the Netherlands, children interacted with either a real dog or a robot dog during therapy sessions. The real-dog group improved more on some measures of emotional connection and emotion regulation.

Discussion Question:

If more families had robot dogs, how might that affect real pets and animal shelters?

LISTEN

Physical Build:

Design your own robot dog using cardboard, paper tubes, bottle caps, foil, tape, and other recycled materials. Add pretend sensors showing how your dog notices voices, touches, or obstacles. Give it three special behaviors, then decide which things your robot should do automatically and which should require your permission.

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Digital Build:

With an adult, ask ChatGPT:

“Design three very different robot dogs that could be companions for a future family.”

Choose the features you like best, change anything you do not like, and combine them into your own robot dog. Then draw it or build a model showing how it moves, listens, plays, and recharges.

or a real dog that can lick your face...but also poops?

Real Dog

Biophilia

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You’ve chosen to imagine a future where your best furry friend is still a real dog, complete with kisses, zoomies, and poop bags. You might want to learn more about biophilia, the idea that connecting with living things can matter to our well-being. Real dogs give real love, but they also get a vote about when cuddle time is over!

Fun Facts:

In one school study, children who spent time with dogs had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than the other children.
In a study of 101 children ages 7–12, having their pet dog nearby helped children report less stress during a difficult task.
In a 2024 study of 55 children, kids showed more oxytocin—a hormone associated with social bonding—activity while interacting with dogs than while playing alone with toys.

Biophilia

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We’re exploring biophilia, or our connection with living things. Scientist Edward O. Wilson popularized the term “biophilia” to explain our attraction to other life. Researchers study how relationships with animals may affect our health and well-being, while also considering allergies, fear, culture, safety, and the animal’s welfare. A real pet needs care, patience, exercise, and respect in return. Real dogs give real love, but they also get a vote about when cuddle time is over!

Fun Facts:

Some children read books aloud to therapy dogs to practice reading because dogs can feel like nonjudgmental listeners.
Biologist Edward O. Wilson published Biophilia in 1984. He used the word for humans’ proposed natural attraction to living things.
In one study, children with their pet dog present during a stressful task reported less stress than children completing the task alone or with a parent present.
A 2024 study found that children had more oxytocin, a hormone associated with social bonding, activity while interacting with dogs than while playing alone. Their own pet dogs also showed increases in oxytocin during the interaction.
In a 2025 hospital study of 80 children, about ten minutes with a therapy dog was linked with a bigger drop in reported anxiety than standard child-life care alone.

Discussion Question:

A real dog has needs and choices, so how can we make sure our fun is fun for the dog too?

LISTEN

Physical Build:

Design a “happy dog station” from cardboard, paper, cups, fabric scraps, and recycled materials. Add places for water, rest, play, exercise, and quiet time, then invent one new feature that helps a dog communicate what it needs. Remember that different dogs may want different things, so your design should offer choices.

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Digital Build:

With an adult, ask ChatGPT:

“Imagine a future neighborhood designed to help dogs and people live happily together.”

Choose the ideas you like, remove any you do not, and add your own. Then draw or build the neighborhood, showing places where dogs can play, rest, explore, and choose when they want space.