Topic: reciprocal relationships

  • The Lonely Promise of Cute Robots: Companionship in a Digital Age

    The Lonely Promise of Cute Robots: Companionship in a Digital Age

    Mirumi exemplifies Japan's long-standing philosophy of designing robots as emotional companions for mental well-being, rather than as tools for labor, with research supporting their potential to combat loneliness, especially in aging populations. The author's personal experience with Mirumi highl...

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  • Chinese Kids Use Bots to Fake Popularity on Smartwatches

    Chinese Kids Use Bots to Fake Popularity on Smartwatches

    In China, children as young as five commonly use smartwatches like Xiaotiancai (Little Genius), which dominate the market and blend safety features with a social ecosystem driven by status competition and profile likes. The platform gamifies daily activities to reward users with experience points...

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