Despite the hype around creating bots that can effectively chat with humans, nothing pleases people more than bots that don’t speak at all. In the complex puzzle of fitting AI into our lives, consumers seem to value tech that can make life easier while blending into the background.

Robots in group chats are making awkward comments, bringing up the question of how to teach a bot the art of discretion. Although developers are working on the issue, the shortcomings of AI in social situations resonate with a wider public scepticism of non-human service.

With 60% of Americans using the voice-activated concierge service on their smartphone every day, people are growing accustomed to the idea of interacting with a virtual assistant. Tapping into the trend, Amazon has launched a smart speaker that acts like a home assistant.

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?