Robots with heart: spreading the love this Valentine’s Day

Robots come in many forms. From robotic pets offering solace to those who either can’t care for or have real animals, to AI-powered assistants easing loneliness, technology is finding its place in human relationships. When I was younger, the word ‘robot’ instantly brought to mind images of humanoid machines that were, mostly, unsettling and had sinister motivations due to either biased (and sometimes vengeful) programming, or they’d somehow outsmarted the humans and forged their own paths.

But as I’ve grown, I’ve realised that robots don’t need to be human-shaped – in fact, most aren’t. Cobots work alongside humans in factories, robotic arms handle precise assembly, and autonomous systems roam warehouses, tirelessly shifting inventory. They’re practical, efficient, and unlikely to trigger an existential crisis.

Yet, despite all this, for me, it’s the humanoid robots that remain the most fascinating. They look almost human but not quite, and don’t even get me started on those eerily agile, yet completely mesmerising creations from Boston Dynamics. Or how about Ameca or Aura with their unsettlingly realistic facial expressions that make you question whether you should shake hands or run.

But today, there’s no need to fear a robotic uprising. Quite the opposite, in fact. It’s Valentine’s Day – a time for love, companionship, and, surprisingly, robots.

You might be wondering how metal, silicon, wires, and circuit boards can be moulded into something that people genuinely form emotional connections with. But the truth is, robots aren’t just for industrial efficiency or sci-fi nightmares. Some are built to bring comfort, joy, and, dare I say it, a little love into people’s lives.

So, let’s take a look at the robots that care. Full disclosure, they’re not exclusively humanoid – some are animals, and some just make you say, “aww.”

Mini assessment robot

During the COVID-19 pandemic, children were home schooled and kept apart from their friends, peers and the stability of a ‘normal’ routine, all of which affected their mental health and wellbeing.

A 2022 study carried out by roboticists, computer scientists and psychiatrists from the University of Cambridge found that children opened-up and shared ‘secrets’ with a small humanoid robot, offering it information that they hadn’t felt comfortable sharing via standard methods. (Read more.)

Robots helping people with autism

It is believed that there are around 700,000 autistic people in the UK, and 75 million people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) worldwide – which equates to approximately 1% of the global population. Of this number, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), around one in 100 children have ASD.

For people with autism, one of the key symptoms is that they are unable to make eye contact with other people and tend to look down, thus limiting their ability to learn how others express emotions and emotional reactions. Maja Pantic, AI Scientific Research Lead, Meta commented that her team used a robot to help teach children different expressions, allowing them the opportunity to learn different types of emotion. (Read more.)

Robots supporting elderly people

A friendly robotic service for preventative care amongst older adults at risk of frailty is to be developed as part of a new collaborative project involving Loughborough University.

The project aims to reduce the impact of frailty in the UK care and health system by analysing the benefits and limitations of emerging robotic and sensor technologies for older adults and engaging with policymakers, practitioners, carers, and potential users to co-produce a new service. (Read more.)

Home-care robots

The rapidly increasing aging population will lead to a shortage of care providers in the future. In a new study, researchers from Chiba University, Japan, sought to elucidate the factors that affect users’ willingness to use home-care robots.

Giving further insight into their work published in Scientific Reports, Professor Sayuri Suwa, the corresponding author of the article, says: “In countries where the population is aging, the use of home-care robots will enable many people to achieve ‘aging in place.’ Each country has its own unique history, culture, and legal system, so we wanted to clarify how home-care robots could be developed and implemented in a way that respects these differences.” (Read more.)

Pet dragon helps independent living

Aberystwyth University's BeachLab event will feature the public debut of a new robotic pet dragon designed to assist older adults in maintaining independence.

The robotic dragon, adorned in bright red with green eyes and a flashing tail, resides in the university's Smart Home Lab. This facility, a recently completed bungalow on the Penglais campus, focuses on studying how robots can enhance independent living for older people. (Read more.)

Robots in healthcare

As National Robotics Week (RoboWeek) is coming to an end, Electronic Specifier takes a look at how utilising the power of robotics has the potential to revolutionise healthcare.

The use of robotics and AI in healthcare is becoming increasingly necessary as people are living longer, and physical and mental health care needs are increasing. But how can the healthcare system and the patients that it serves benefit from using robots? Here Electronic Specifier discusses how the technology is helping to address three areas of healthcare needs. (Read more.)

Robotic guide dogs for blind and partially sighted individuals

Blind and partially sighted individuals may soon navigate indoor spaces more freely with the assistance of a robotic guide dog.

The core of RoboGuide's technological innovation lies in its use of an array of advanced sensors to meticulously map and assess its surroundings. These sensors, including LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), ultrasonic sensors, and infrared, provide the robot with a 360-degree view of its environment, enabling precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. Complementing this sensor suite is a sophisticated software system designed to interpret sensor data in real-time, learning optimal routes and making split-second decisions to guide users safely through their environment. (Read more.)

AI-powered Metapet for emotional support

Metapet, for people who want pets but don’t want or can’t have a real pet, unveiled its Noono AI robotic pet guinea pig at CES 2025. When petted, the Noono responds by arching its back, mimicking a natural reaction. For recharging, the robotic hamster is placed in a dedicated baby carrier-style basket, blending functionality with charm.

The company also has a pet cuttle fish with plans to release a pet seal, cats, and birds at a later date. (Read more.)

Robots that bring joy to the everyday

Yukai Engineering is a Japanese robotics startup that was founded in 2011 by Shunsuke Aoki, that develops and sells products that make the world a more “yukai” (fun) place to live.

YUKAI’s award-winning products include Necomimi, a headband with fake cat ears that move in sync with the user’s brain waves, and Qoobo, a tail-wagging therapeutic pillow, amongst other robotic devices. (Read more.)

Let’s be honest though, nothing quite says ‘I love you’ like someone doing your housework – so let’s wrap up by taking a look at the robot who will clean your sink.

Robots doing our chores!

Robots are designed to undertake monotonous or disagreeable tasks on our behalf. However, automating activities like cleaning a bathroom presents significant challenges.

Determining the precise movements of a robotic arm to access every section of a washbasin, especially those with irregularly curved edges, and applying the correct amount of force at specific points, is complex. (Read more.)

So, there you have it – 10 robots designed to bring comfort, companionship, and a touch of warmth to the world. And if this has inspired you to create a robotic friend of your own, our Managing Editor, Paige West, has you covered in her article How to build your own robot friend.