As lives get automated, a future of consumer robotics may not be far away. But research finds that gazing into the eyes of humanoids has an effect on decision-making. For brands in the robotic space, ethical considerations are important when deciding how to use robots.

A café in Tokyo is harnessing robot technology to make work accessible to people with severe physical disabilities. At Dawn café, robot ‘avatars’ operated by people with mobility issues can serve and chat with customers, showing how robotics can further inclusion efforts in the workplace.

The pandemic has pushed tech front and center and people's lives have become more digital and contactless than ever. Soul Machines creates hyper-human AI avatars to offer people friendship and mentorship, representing the next era of digital companionship and coaching.

With restaurants reopening and people booking far in advance, eateries across America are suffering from the same problem: not enough staff. A workforce that pre-pandemic was considered disposable finds itself in a position of power, with employers offering better bonuses and packages.