If you’re thinking about adding on to your canine family but aren’t yet ready to get a new, living dog, there is a solution out there for you. Reminiscent of the Tamagotchi that was popular in the 1990s, Japanese company Bandai Co., Ltd. has created a floppy-eared, robot companion for iPhone and iTouch users. After downloading the Smart Pet app, you place your device in between the ears of the pup and it comes to life. You can teach it over 100 tricks, feed it, play with it, pet it and watch it do lots of things that real pooches can do, without the actual responsibility. It will even recognize your face and voice commands!

Robot Puppy

While great for entertainment, the Smart Pet is actually functional as well. It can be your alarm clock, become a hands-free phone holder and charge your iPhone all at the same time. As you spend more time with your dog robot, he or she will start using new facial expressions and doing new tricks. You can even travel with this lil guy or gal by removing the head portion and keeping the cute ears while on the go. If you feel so inclined to add two of these Smart Pets to your family, they can interact, dance together and sing in sync. Maybe your living, breathing dog will jump on the bandwagon.

Here’s a video of these battery-operated pups in action, dancing and playing (dog walking services nyc).

Sources: Info via Wall Street Journal, pictures via sp.asovision.com