http://qz.com/426253/scientists-have-made-enough-animal-robots-to-fill-a-terrifying-zoo/
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/9-biomimetic-robots-act-animals-article-1.2094006
I have provided links above to various robotic animals, each with it’s own ability. I think it is interesting to consider the vast difference between these inventions and what we considered an animal robots as children (Tickle Me Elmo, Furby, iDog, etc.). In my opinion, Descartes thoughts on animals as machines mends better to what we considered animal robots as children, than true or robotic animals (of today). Today’s technologically advanced robots often mimic motions of true animals extremely well, and maybe have even benefits true animals do not have. As for if animals or animal robots “think”, I’m not sure. Descartes goes through many counterexamples of animals thinking, but fails to truly define and give examples of what is thinking or a thought. Without this definition, Descartes argument breaks down, and we cannot say animals or animal robots are machines.