Robotic Guinea Pigs – whatever next?

After robotic dogs, cats and even fish, here comes yet another android animal to add to your collection: a robotic guinea pig. According to Ananova a Belgian businessman has developed this latest cyber pet while in prison.

Jo Lernout, a former director with speech recognition experts Lernout and Hauspie, developed the guinea pig Gupi while in custody as part of a fraud investigation (obviously the jail bird proved too tricky!) He was later released without charge and continued to develop the pet.

Apparently Gupi has a memory, can walk on a table without falling over and even falls asleep when it’s getting dark. Expected to go on sale within the next few weeks for £60, the Gupi should prove a big hit with parents who don’t want to have to buy their children the real thing this Christmas.