For decades, robots were built to weld, lift, inspect, and assemble. Their world was the industrial floor – structured tasks, predictable environments, and a focus on efficiency.
That paradigm is shifting. A new category of machines is emerging, designed not to move pallets or operate tools but to interact, comfort, teach, and keep people company.
Social and companion robots occupy a different space in the automation landscape. Instead of replacing physical labour, they augment human relationships, taking on roles traditionally associated with caregivers, teachers, receptionists, and even friends. [Read more…] about Social and companion robots: More than just machines?