[DoreenMichele]

Companion animals are not pets. They are working animals.

Battery life has a tendency to change over time. For someone largely housebound, it wouldn't much matter. They could be on a tether plugged into a wall even and still do good things for many people.

[jiofih]

I meant it’s not fit for a companion. It wouldn’t have agency, “keep you company” in any sense or understand your needs like animals can be trained to do. It’s a sharp, computerized tool.

[DoreenMichele]

I don't know a better term for what I am thinking of. I don't think it has to be able to serve that specific function in order to be useful to someone with significant limitations.

I can see where the miscommunication comes from, but I think my point stands. For handicapped people, a mechanical dog that can carry, fetch items for them, help them get up, light their way, etc is potentially very useful.