These robot cats have glowing eyes and artificial heartbeats

At Springwood Library in Australia’s Blue Mountains, MetaCats—lifelike robotic therapy cats—delighted a group of children during a reading event. The MetaCats, designed to reduce stress and provide comfort, feature animated LED eyes, soft fur, and realistic movements. They interact with voice commands, respond to touch, and purr when loved. Introduced to local libraries to combat loneliness and support children’s mental health, the MetaCats are especially popular with kids and seniors alike, The Guardian has reported. They will soon find permanent homes at the Springwood and Katoomba libraries, but will continue to make appearances at events.