The rise of companion robots in Japan

Humans are social creatures, but what happens when their social networks break down? Companion robots may be able to provide emotional support increasingly missing from people's lives. While such a scenario sounds like a sci-fi pipe dream, 21st century Japan is developing the technology to make it a reality. There is a growing demand. Here, there is a clear distinction between uchi and soto, one's in-group and out-group. Most people aren't likely to strike it up with members of the latter.