Schmidt's Kitty is a robotic pet, one of a new breed of electronic cats and dogs that can pant, yawn, whine and wag; some even have an audible heartbeat. They have been designed specifically for older people, especially those with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of...

DUBLIN — To help ward off some of the isolation and loneliness elderly dementia patients in hospice care have been experiencing during the pandemic, workers at one organization have come up with a creative idea: robotic animals to bring them comfort.

WAILUKU, Hawaii - Robotic pets being a great substitute for pet-loving seniors who can't take care of a pet any longer. Maui and Kauai Counties gave hundreds of them away to low-income seniors in January.

You may get a meow, a purr, a roll-over or a blank stare when you pet the robotic cat. And someday soon, it may help connect you with your loved ones.

They're not about to replace real-life therapy dogs, but research shows that motorized mutts can benefit people struggling with loneliness or dementia.

Gifts for Grandpa can be hard to shop for. When he spends so much of his time giving to the grandkids and his big kids, it can be tricky figuring out what your Gramps will want for himself. But don't worry — we've done all the research for you. From the creative to...

Studies are mixed on whether automatons can cure loneliness, but some seniors like the cleanliness and convenience of robotic pets. By Trevor Hembling Loneliness is a big problem for many elderly Americans. One-third of adults older than 45 say they feel alone, and...

I plan to name my robot Jeanne Calment, after the French super-ager who lived to be 122. Jeanne will like to read British mysteries, go to the theater and eat cheesecake while standing in front of a refrigerator (the calories are less that way.) In other words, she...

I just learned there is a bell-shaped curve on the age of adoption of stuffed animals. The young have always loved them and now people on the older end of the age spectrum are adopting them as well. Many older adults continue to have cherished live pets–in a...

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Robots are increasingly replicating more and more lifelike human behavior, but can they imitate animals? This is a different twist on robotic pets and scientists say they can serve as friends and therapy aids to the growing elderly population.  

[with video] ***This story and video originally ran/aired on USA Today. It’s reposted here with permission.*** Brooklyn resident Marilyn Stone* isn’t your typical early tech adopter. She’s 95 years old, can’t see or hear very well anymore, and grew up in a time when...

Jennifer Jolly | Special to USA TODAY When you think of tech early adopters, this Brooklyn resident isn’t who typically comes to mind. She’s 95 years old, can’t see or hear very well anymore, and grew up in a time when the hottest new gadgets around were toaster ovens...

Here, robo kitty! When elderly clients of the Bronx-based RiverSpring Health Plans are feeling low, they might get a cat in their lap — a robotic cat that is. Susan Garelick, 66, did. After she said goodbye forever to her 14-year-old feline two years ago, she was...

Those ages 50 and older in the U.S. generate $7.6 trillion in economic activity, according to AARP, representing a huge financial force. That trend will grow as the number of older adults more than doubles by 2050, representing over 20% of the population.