Old people are easy to feel lonely because their children are busy with their work and have little time to spend with them.Most of them have to be companied by pet dogs.However,it is sometimes impossible for some old people to keep pet dogs because they are too old or ill to take care of pet dogs. Experts are studying the influence of robotic dogs on old people's depression ,physical activity,and life satisfaction.Researchers are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to see whether they can improve the quality of life for old people.Alan Beck,an expert in human-animal relationship,said,"Old people should be more active,challenged,excited.The problem is how we promote that,especially for those without friends or help.A robotic dog could be a solution." In the study,the robot,called AIBO,is placed for six weeks in the houses of some old people who live alone.These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activities before and after AIBO.Researchers will collect basic data for six weeks.Then,the researchers will review the data to decide if there are any changes in the life of its owner. "I talk to him all the time,and he responds to my voice,"says a 70-year-old lady."When I'm watching TV,he'll stay in my arms until he wants down.He has a mind of his own." The AIBOs respond to certain orders.The researchers say they have some advantages over real dogs,especially for old people.Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it.A robotic dog needn't any exercise and feeding concerns. "At the beginning,it was believed that no one would prefer the robotic dog because it was metal and not furry  ,"Beck says."But it's amazing how quickly we have given up that belief." Hopefully,these robotic pets could become a more valuable health helper.They will record their masters'blood pressure,oxygen levels,or heart rhythms.AIBOs may even one day have games that can help exciting older people's minds. From the passage we can learn that old people can easily feel lonely because  .
their children don't like to stay with them they don't have pet dogs their children are too busy to stay with them they don't have robotic dogs