https://www.siliconvalley.com/2019/12/17/niantic-reveals-new-details-about-pokemon-go-buddy-adventure/

Niantic revealed more details about the Buddy Adventure feature in “Pokemon Go” on Tuesday. The new element in the game fleshes out the buddy mechanic that was introduced a few months after the game was released.

From the initial reveal last month, Buddy Adventure looked similar to the Pokemon-Amie, a feature that made its debut in “Pokemon X” and “Pokemon Y.” It allowed players to pet their pocket monsters and feed it berries. The goal was to create more of bond between players and their chosen Pokemon. It’s a “Tamagotchi” twist to the the “Pokemon” formula.