Robots are growing more emotionally aware—able to detect tone, facial expressions, and micro-emotions, and respond naturally. Future companions may live beside seniors, guide retail shoppers, or assist in hospitality, reacting empathetically rather than mechanically.
This post explores prototypes with expressive facial displays, conversational tone modulation, and gesture recognition. It also covers ethical design, emotional authenticity, and limits of robotic empathy. As robots become emotionally capable, they walk a fine line between tool and companion.
