AI Pet field guide

Meet the companions changing what a digital pet can be.

Stories and practical guides about expressive companions: where they came from, what they can do, and how thoughtful characters are made.

Meet

13 minute read

The history of robot pets

Trace robot pets from early mechanical animals and Sony AIBO to therapeutic companions, desktop robots, and today's character-driven AI pets.

12 minute read

Follow virtual pets from early desktop creatures and Tamagotchi through Neopets, Nintendogs, mobile games, and AI-powered companions.

11 minute read

Compare the leading AI pet categories in 2026 by personality, movement, privacy, support, upkeep, and the kind of companionship they offer.

6 minute read

Learn what an AI pet is, how AI companion robots differ from apps and toys, and what to consider before choosing a digital companion.

Understand

11 minute read

A balanced review of research on robot pets, loneliness, dementia care, stress, privacy, emotional dependence, and responsible use.

11 minute read

Explore plausible AI pet trends through 2035, including persistent personality, portable memory, soft robotics, AR companions, ownership, and ethics.

7 minute read

A clear look at the voice pipeline, memory, safety controls, and expressive hardware behind a modern AI companion robot.

Build

8 minute read

Explore the architecture of an ESP32 AI pet, from display and audio hardware to cloud voice, animated faces, credentials, and testing.