SHORT ANSWER
The categories overlap. An AI pet centers a creature-like relationship; a social robot centers interaction through a physical agent; a companion chatbot centers conversation. A single product can be all three, but the distinction helps users understand what experience and risks to expect.
AI pet
The core is a persistent creature with behavior, expression, and often care. Language may be optional. The relationship can develop through observation and touch as much as words.
Companion chatbot
The core is ongoing conversation and relational language. It may have an avatar but no simulated body or world. This makes language safety, dependency, and memory especially central.
Why labels matter
Marketing terms should not substitute for capability disclosures. Users need to know what sensors exist, what data leaves the device, what is generated, and what remains available offline.
How to read this topic
AIPets.com separates current products, published evidence, engineering practice, and forward-looking claims. Capabilities vary by product and update. Health, education, and emotional-wellbeing claims need evidence for the specific population and setting—not just a compelling demo.
Sources and further reading
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Social robot
The core is a physical system designed to interact with people using movement, gaze, sound, or speech. It may look like an animal, a person, or an abstract object.