Tel Aviv-Based Start-Up Develops Virtual Companions in the Metaverse

The Tel Aviv-based Digital Pets Company, which develops artificial intelligence, is creating the world's first digital pet companions in the metaverse.

Users can interact with the dogs, teach them commands, offer positive reinforcement through tokens and create one-on-one relationships in a virtual reality environment.

The Digital Pets Company has created its own PetOS software, built on augmented reality (XR) and blockchain technologies, to help shape each pet's individual look and personality.

The creators of the virtual pets have three goals in mind. Firstly, they want to develop artificial intelligence brains for dogs, including emotional support, which the company hopes to emulate online. Secondly, the company aims to create other kinds of pets, including cats. Finally, the creators would like to take their brand beyond the metaverse and partner with brands that support real animals to ensure that all animals get the care they deserve.

Digital Pets Company co-founder and CEO Itay Hasid said:

Dogs have many benefits across many situations in humans' lives: when you want to get to know other people in working spaces, emotional support, etc. So we're trying to mimic this as much as possible to bring these values into the virtual space.

Users will soon be able to purchase virtual dogs by selecting a breed. The pets will be available for purchase in vial tubes, after which they will be "incubated" digitally. Users will then be able to follow the dog's development from embryo to puppy to adult. At the adult stage, dogs will be able to follow users through virtual reality worlds and adapt to different visual environments.