By: Ryan Sung

Loneliness is when someone experiences sadness because they have no friends or company. So how can robots that have no resemblance to humans be capable of providing company to humans?

For those who do not know, family robots are also known as compassion robots and are more than just your typical robot that can answer questions or do chores around the house. They are instead robots that dedicate themselves to brightening up a home by performing dance moves, singing and can hold up a conversation with anyone that talks to it.

Because of how versatile compassion robots are, it is no surprise that they can alleviate the burden of loneliness. After all, not many people can say they can perform dance moves, sing well and especially be able to hold a conversation with random people whenever, wherever.

So it’s without a doubt that family robots are capable of treating loneliness, but how effective are they at treating it? Sure, they can do things that most humans can not, but simply dancing and singing will not do much to make someone feel less lonely. After all, it is common for people to feel awkward and lonely at social gatherings, even if they are surrounded by energetic crowds.

According to Furhatrorobotics, the main reason why people may feel less lonely around family robots is because family robots can not judge you. It makes having a personal conversation with family robots feel like a personal conversation with a deeply trusted friend or family member where they can not feel frustrated or impatient with whatever you are saying.

Does this mean that we should abandon friends and family for family robots? Definitely not. Family robots have been proven to “reduce stress and loneliness and can help older people remain healthy and active in their homes.” However, all evidence points out that having a real person as your best friend is the best solution to curing loneliness.

As a result, family robots can aid loneliness. Can they do it as real people? No.