Why We Don't Have Robot Companions Yet | Big Business

In this talk

1. 2:02

   Realbotix’s companion robot bet

   McMullen says his work has centered on synthetic companionship, and he launched Realbotix in 2014 to make human-like robots for social interaction. The company’s robots use silicone faces, embedded magnets and motors; the face and neck contain 17 motors. Prices range from about $20,000 for a robotic bust to $125,000 for a full-body model.

2. 3:51

   Conversation still feels delayed

   Dan tests whether Realbotix robots can remember personal details and respond with a distinct personality. They recall his snack, lucky number and reminder, but pauses between turns make the exchange feel less natural. CEO Andrew Kiguel says the company is developing responses that begin before the full answer is ready; cloud processing and coordinating speech with movement add delay.

3. 7:41

   Human likeness raises expectations

   The uncanny valley describes how near-human designs can feel unsettling when small behaviors or movements seem wrong. Dan’s friends compare Realbotix’s appearance to a mix of a horror doll and a Barbie doll. Robotics reporter Raya Jeffa says adding onboard computing could reduce delays, but costs, limited space and residual lag remain challenges.

4. 8:55

   Reflex uses motion and human guidance

   Reflex Robotics takes a less human-looking approach: its warehouse robot communicates through gaze, head movement and posture rather than conversation. A colleague finds it cute and says its mistakes can prompt sympathy. Human operators remotely guide the robot, helping it learn tasks, though this approach may be costly to scale and raises privacy concerns in homes.

5. 12:38

   Companionship needs a clear use case

   Reflex CEO Ritesh Raghavender sees a stronger near-term business case for industrial robots than for home companions, and says a future household robot should communicate expressively without looking fully human. Dan notes that earlier social robots have often lost momentum when they lacked a practical use or failed to meet expectations. McMullen argues robots could serve as friends, while Dan’s tests also expose limits in reading facial expressions and gestures.