Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

social robots

What makes robots feel alive? Human-robot interaction expert Sarah Sebo explains

by

As robots become more expressive and socially capable, the line between machines and living characters is starting to blur. From Disney’s lifelike Olaf robot (main image) to interactive droids inspired by Star Wars, recent developments highlight how far robotics has come in replicating human-like behavior and emotion.

But what actually makes a robot feel “alive” – and why do some machines feel natural while others fall into the so-called “uncanny valley”?

To explore these questions, Robotics & Automation News spoke with Sarah Sebo, assistant professor of computer science at the University of Chicago, whose research focuses on human-robot interaction and the social, cultural and technological impact of robots in everyday environments. [Read more…] about What makes robots feel alive? Human-robot interaction expert Sarah Sebo explains

The uncanny valley and how humans relate to humanoids

by

Exploring the psychological aspects of designing and interacting with human-like robots

Humanoid robots are moving steadily from laboratories and research demos toward commercial deployment. Machines built by companies such as Tesla, Figure AI, Agility Robotics, and Boston Dynamics are increasingly designed to operate in environments originally built for humans – factories, warehouses, hospitals, and homes.

But as robots begin to resemble people more closely, another question re-emerges – one that engineers, psychologists, and filmmakers have been grappling with for decades. [Read more…] about The uncanny valley and how humans relate to humanoids

OpenMind launches app store for robots

by

OpenMind, a robotics software company, has launched its “App Store for robots”, a platform designed to serve as the software distribution layer for quadruped and humanoid robots already operating in real-world environments.

As robots move beyond research labs into commercial and consumer deployment, software – not hardware – has emerged as the primary constraint on scale. While robotic platforms continue to mature mechanically, most remain locked into vertically integrated software stacks that limit adaptability and slow iteration.

OpenMind’s App Store introduces a shared application marketplace that allows robots to be configured, updated, and repurposed through software. [Read more…] about OpenMind launches app store for robots

Social and companion robots: More than just machines?

by

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?