Their aim is to perform a wide array of tasks including educational functions, home security, diary duties, entertainment and message delivery services, etc.
Companion robots can perform a variety of tasks and they are produced in a specialized manner according to their purpose or target audience in order to increase convenience and end user satisfaction.
Assistive companion robots are aimed at people who require constant care because of age, disability or rehabilitation purposes.
Such robots can help disadvantaged users with their daily tasks, act as reminders (e.g., for regular medication) and facilitate mobility in everyday actions.
[citation needed] Educational companion robots perform tutorship for students, regardless of their ages, and can teach desired subjects with activities tailored for the user such as interactive assignments and games.
[citation needed] Designed for individuals coping with stress (PTSD in severe cases), anxiety and loneliness; therapeutic companion robots support users' emotional and mental wellbeing.
Paro is a pet-type robot system developed by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).
[22] It has cognitive capabilities, which are further extended so that the robot can have a natural linguistic interaction with its owner through the DRAGON speech-recognition software developed by a company called NUANCE.
[27][28] Hyodol is an advanced care robot designed to support the elderly by reminding them to take their medications and monitoring their movements to keep their guardians informed.
Additionally, this innovative robot can detect and respond to the emotional states of its elderly users, adding a layer of personalized care.
Hyodol is designed with the appearance and speech style of a 7-year-old Korean grandchild, featuring a soft fabric exterior and user interaction methods such as striking the head or patting the back.
[29] In South Korea, approximately 10,000 Hyodol robots are deployed to the homes of elderly individuals living alone, providing essential support and companionship.
Local governments, including provincial and county offices, have embraced Hyodol as a solution to address social challenges stemming from the country's rapidly aging society.Furthermore, the robot is widely utilized in the treatment of dementia patients at a university hospital in Gangwon province.
It was designed to help the children learn emotional cognition, using remotely hosted large language models to direct its responses.
Concerns also extend to the potential impact of robot-assisted childcare on child development, with specific worries about the adverse effects on emotional and social skills due to reduced human interaction.
This highlights the necessity of implementing ethical guidelines and psychological support systems to navigate the complexities introduced by this technology, ensuring they serve as enhancements rather than replacements for human relationships.