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The $99 ROBOPET for the elderly: Hasbro unveil bizarre catbot that purrs, meows and moves like a real feline

Joy For All Companion Pets made to bring comfort to elderly loved ones
The robotic cats come in three colors: white, silver, and orange tabby
The battery-operated cats nuzzle when pet, and fall asleep when left alone

Published: 11:33 EST, 18 November 2015 | Updated: 15:00 EST, 18 November 2015

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Hasbro has created a realistic, robotic cat to bring comfort and companionship to elderly people.

The Joy For All Companion Pet responds to motion and touch with sensors that prompt 'familiar, cat-like motions' – but it won't claw your skin off when you try to rub its belly.

The cats are being offered at $99.99, and come in three different styles: Creamy White, Silver with White Mitts, and Orange Tabby.

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The Joy For All Companion Pet responds to motion and touch with sensors that prompt 'familiar, cat-like motions.' For animal lovers who don't have the means to care for a real pet, which can be costly and time-consuming, the Companion Pet makes for a responsibility-free alternative

PETS THAT DON'T NEED TO BE FED

The Joy For All Companion Pet was created by Hasbro to bring comfort to senior citizens.

The robotic cat is batter-operated, and has VibraPurr device to make purrs seem realistic.

Hasbro is offering the Companion Pet for $99.90, and says it provides a 'two-way give-and-take' experience.

The Companion Pets respond to motion and touch, and react with cat-like motions.

Hasbro describes its Companion Pet as a 'two-way give-and-take' experience.

The owner gets comfort from hugging and petting the soft, life-like cat, and the cat responds happily with purrs and meows.

The pet is equipped with VibraPurr to make purrs sound and feel real, and it runs on batteries.

Video testimonials show that the pets can bring happiness to their new owners, and relief for caregivers.

And, while they're largely being marketed for senior citizens, the cats can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

'I noticed right away when she started petting it, she's calmed down and relaxed,' says one man in a promotional video.

'I'm really happy to be able to do this for her.'

'Makes me feel good, knowing that she'll have companionship from it. She's talking to it, and it's purring away now,' he says.

Video testimonials show that the pets can bring happiness to their new owners, and relief for caregivers. And, while they're largely being marketed for senior citizens, the cats can be enjoyed by people of all ages

Different interactions with the Companion Pet will prompt varying reactions from the robotic animal. Petting will spur nuzzling and happy purrs, and may even put the cat to sleep.

The website tells buyers to 'Keep petting your cat and it will roll on its back so you can give it a belly rub,' a move that many cat owners know to fall within risky territory.

How it works: Owners can interact with their robot pet in a variety of ways - and unlike a real cat, it'll even go to sleep when left alone.

The Joy For All Companion Pet is programmed with positive reactions, however, and will only change between happy, relaxed, and asleep.

For animal lovers who don't have the means to care for a real pet, which can be costly and time-consuming, the Companion Pet makes for a responsibility-free alternative.

'Petting a cat, I don't know it's just kind of a soothing experience, I guess, that you and the cat are participating in,' another man in the video says.

'I was just overwhelmed with her wonderful reaction, because as a caregiver, it made me feel really good. I need to have some of those feelings from time to time.'

The owner gets comfort from hugging and petting the soft, life-like cat, and the cat responds happily with purrs and meows. Different interactions with the Companion Pet will prompt varying reactions from the robotic animal. Petting will spur nuzzling and happy purrs, and may even put the cat to sleep

The cats are being offered at $99.99, and come in three different styles: Creamy White, Silver with White Mitts, and Orange Tabby. The pet is equipped with VibraPurr to make purrs sound and feel real, and it runs on batteries