Is there a market for luxury robotic pets?

Reuters

July 13, 2001 5:21 AM PT



NEW YORK–Caring for a real dog can be expensive, but the latest generation of robo-pups will set you back $200 or $1,500–somewhere between some folks’ weekly food bill and monthly rent or mortgage payment.

Despite a U.S. unemployment rate of 4.5 percent, the makers of i-Cybie and AIBO believe there’s a definite market for their luxury robotic pets. Ditto for the top executives of some upscale retailers who are betting on these high-tech pups to help make Christmas 2001 a merry one.

i-Cybie, the $200 robotic dog from Tiger Electronics, a division of Hasbro Inc., should be in stock in August at FAO Schwarz, said David Niggli, chief operating officer of the luxury toy retailer.

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