Have you ever talked to Siri or Alexa? 

Or maybe chat with a bot like ChatGPT or Gemini online? 

Maybe you've got a smart speaker at home you can chat with, ask questions, and tell jokes.

Guess what? You've already met some basic social robots!

These days, robots aren't just for building cars or exploring Mars. They're hanging out in our homes, helping us with tasks, and even keeping us company.

There are all sorts of social robots out there. 

Some are chatbots, like the ones you find online, that can answer your questions and have a conversation. 

Others are companion robots, like Vector or Moxie, designed to be your friend and hang out with you. They can play games, tell stories, and even help you learn new things.

But here's the really cool part: social robots are designed to interact with us in a way that feels natural and friendly. They can understand our emotions, respond to our voices, and even learn our preferences. 

It's like having a buddy who's always there to listen and learn with you.

And if you're unfamiliar with it, try giving a platform like ChatGPT a go. It's super safe for families, and you can ask pretty much anything you want. You can even say something like,

"Hey ChatGPT, I want you to be my best friend in the whole wide world. I'm nine and here with my parents. What are some cool activities we can do on a rainy day?"

Then say whatever you want. You can run coding projects, create fun graphics or pictures, get inspiration for play ideas, find out new facts, or basically do whatever you want. 

However, give it a go, and you'll soon find yourself asking, how do these robots seem so alive?

 

What makes a robot seem "alive"?

Source

One thing you'll see time and time again is robots and AI claiming they have feelings.

They might say something like, "I'm happy to help," or "That was a funny joke."

Robots can't actually feel those things, can they?

Well, that's a question scientists and philosophers have been pondering for ages. 

While robots might not experience emotions exactly like we do, they can definitely do things that make them seem alive.

One of the biggest things is their ability to express emotions. 

Just like you might smile when you're happy or frown when you're sad, some robots can use facial expressions, body language, and even tones of voice to show how they're "feeling." 

For example, a robot might tilt its head and make a confused sound if it doesn't understand something, or it might light up and make happy noises when it accomplishes a task.

Another thing that makes robots seem alive is their ability to learn and grow. 

Many social robots use artificial intelligence (AI) to learn from their interactions with humans. This means they can remember your name, your favorite things, and even how you like to play. 

The more you interact with them, the more they get to know you, just like a real friend.

Dr. Cynthia Breazeal, a leading roboticist at MIT, says, "Social robots have the potential to be incredibly engaging and personalized companions. They can learn and adapt to our individual needs and preferences, creating a truly unique bond."

This is all made possible by the programming, but that's the most interesting part. 

Taking AI as an example, AI has been trained on data that shows that humans smile and express happiness when they're happy. There are billions of examples through text, stories, imagery, and video that prove this, and countless examples of what makes a human happy.

For example, solving a difficult question and getting the answer right can produce those feelings. Therefore, when experiencing this outcome, AI will express happiness through text, happy sounds, and so on when it thinks we're experiencing it. 

Just check out this conversation I had with ChatGPT in the same way!

So, while robots might not have hearts and minds exactly like ours, they can definitely do things that make them seem alive and create a sense of connection. 

And guess what? You can experience this firsthand by building your own robot buddy!

 

How to build your own robot buddy with CircuitMess

Want to experience the magic of social robots firsthand? You don't need a fancy lab or a degree in rocket science! With CircuitMess, you can build your own awesome robot buddy and bring it to life.

CircuitMess makes incredible DIY electronics kits perfect for young inventors and tech enthusiasts. These kits come with everything you need to build your own robots, from the circuit boards and components to the step-by-step instructions and software.

Think of it like this: it's like having a LEGO set for robots, but way cooler! You get to put all the pieces together, learn how the technology works, and then watch your creation come to life.

There's a ton on offer, including:

• An AI robot arm with AI voice assistant

• A robot smartwatch with a virtual friendly pet you code yourself

• Wacky Robots, friendly robots you can build yourself

Plus, a ton of other builds, games, and projects, from the Wheelson robot car to the ByteBoi game console. Each kit offers a unique learning experience and a chance to unleash your creativity.

All these kits are customizable, and you can build them yourself so you can experience first-hand what goes into making a cool robot friend.

Building a robot with CircuitMess is more than just snapping pieces together. It's about learning how things work, problem-solving, and bringing your imagination to life. 

And who knows, you might just create the next generation of social robots!

 

FAQs about robot best friends

Okay, let's tackle some of those burning questions you might have about robot best friends!

Can robots really be our friends?

That's a great question! While robots might not be human, they can definitely be companions and offer a lot of the same benefits as human friends. 

They can listen to you, play games with you, help you learn, and even offer comfort when you're feeling down. Plus, they'll never judge you for wearing mismatched socks! 😉

Will robots replace human friends?

Nope! Robots are awesome, but they can't replace the amazing connections we have with other people. Human friends offer empathy, shared experiences, and a special kind of bond that robots just can't replicate (yet!). 

Think of robots as adding to your friendships, not replacing them.

What can I teach my robot best friend?

That depends on the robot! Some robots can learn new words, games, and even dance moves. You can also personalize them with your own preferences, like their name, favorite color, or the kind of music they play. It's all about exploring and having fun!

Are robots safe to be around?

Absolutely! Robot toys and companions are designed with safety in mind. They're usually made with soft materials, rounded edges, and sensors to prevent collisions. Of course, it's always a good idea to follow the instructions and use your robot responsibly.

 

Wrapping up

So, there you have it! Robots aren't just those clunky machines you see in movies anymore. They're becoming our friends, companions, and even teachers. They can make us laugh, help us learn, and show us a whole new world of possibilities.

Remember that study we talked about earlier? The one where kids formed real bonds with robots? That's because social robots are designed to connect with us on a deeper level. They can understand our emotions, learn our preferences, and even grow with us over time.

And don't forget, you can be a part of this amazing robot revolution! 

With CircuitMess kits, you can build your own robot buddies, learn how they work, and even teach them new things. It's like having a friend you can build and customize yourself!

So, what are you waiting for? Head over to the CircuitMess website, check out the awesome robot kits, and start your own robotics adventure today.