Kyodo News Electronic robots are gradually becoming familiar companions among some Japanese families and hospital patients, offering them entertainment and peace of mind.
The robots vary from those that look like puppies to humanoid ones that can walk leisurely on two legs, pour wine into a glass or even express emotions.
While not all of them have made inroads into Japanese households, Atsuo Takanishi, a professor at Waseda University's faculty of science and technology, reckons that in the future, robots will emerge that are more useful than pets.