As our lives become more automated, the consumer robotics industry is only set to grow. But something is holding the market back – people find it difficult to trust these machines, especially in their homes and offices. Why do they make us uneasy, and what will convince people to trust robots?

With AI transforming everything from how people shop, to how they look after their health, it’s now making its way into the office. Robot Vera, the brainchild of Russian startup Stafory, is an AI that’s simplifying the recruitment process for more than 300 clients, including IKEA and L’Oréal.

Japanese culture has long seen robots as human helpers, and businesses have warmed to the idea of robots augmenting human life. Automatons are stepping in to fill jobs in a country where the it’s not just the workforce shrinking, but the population, too.

Mayfield Robotics’ Kuri is a friendly robot that can patrol one’s abode, play music, and capture priceless moments without taking families out of them. But can this adorable automaton win over the hearts of a population that is still apprehensive about the idea of smart machines in their homes?