Here's how robots can fight loneliness and ageing

But despite concerns, early studies already show that social robots – autonomous robots trained to interact and communicate with humans – really could address issues of care and social interaction. The majority of robotics researchers are largely in favour of introducing robotic technology on a wider scale and believe it could reduce loneliness and increase independence in elderly patients. The Japanese government even supports introducing robots in care homes to solve the country's ageing population problem. However, many strongly recommend carefully balancing the care benefits against the ethical costs.