Japan embraces robot ‘pets’ as companions to ease pandemic isolation

Whenever Nami Hamaura feels lonely, all she has to do is talk to her singing companion: a robot named “Charlie”, who will respond with some calming music.

Charlie is part of a new generation of cute and clever robotic “pets” being developed in Japan, where sales of automatons have boomed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Technology firms report huge demand for more humanlike robot alternatives, especially from people seeking solace in coronavirus-induced isolation.