The ZKM Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe, Germany, has launched Electronic Petting Zoo, the world’s first petting zoo featuring robots. Instead of live animals, the exhibition presents ten robotic guinea pigs controlled by artificial intelligence (AI).

Starting from November 30, visitors can pet and “interact” with the fluffy robots free of charge, following an anti-café format. Each guinea pig is equipped with an AI agent with a unique personality: one loves mandarins, while another enjoys highly intellectual conversations.

The creators emphasize that the project’s main mission is to demonstrate the difference between real life and programmed behavior, rather than to replace genuine human or animal interaction. The zoo aims to encourage reflection on the role of AI in empathy and responsibility, which is especially valuable for children.

The project also reflects a global trend toward AI-powered pets, such as Casio’s Moflin or Huawei’s Smart Hanhan. Unlike them, Electronic Petting Zoo offers a critical perspective on how far “programmed care” can go in addressing loneliness.

The zoo will remain open until August 2, 2026. Each free session lasts 30 minutes.

ORIENT