A new study published in Frontiers in Robotics and AI suggests that social robots can form lasting emotional connections with families—remaining in homes years after their original purpose has ended.
Researchers from the University of Guelph followed up with 20 families who, in 2021, had received a small owl-shaped reading robot called Luka. The robot’s task was to scan physical picture books and read them aloud to help preschool-aged children develop early literacy skills.
Four years later, the children had outgrown the robot’s reading level. Yet 18 of the 19 families contacted still had their Luka. Some continued to charge it, a few repurposed it as a music player, and others kept it on display alongside keepsakes from early childhood.
The findings indicate that Luka had shifted from a learning tool to a sentimental object. One child referred to the robot as “my little brother,” while another described it as “the only pet I ever had.” In several cases, parents admitted they kept the robot more for themselves than for their children, as a reminder of bedtime routines and early developmental milestones.
Researchers observed that the robots were often placed in meaningful spots in the home, such as on bookshelves, desks, or bedside tables. Some families even decorated them with items like a hand-drawn name tag or a doily. One robot was ceremonially passed on to a younger cousin, an act the researchers likened to a “retirement.”
The study highlights a phenomenon in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) where relatively simple devices—without advanced mobility or conversational abilities—can develop symbolic and emotional roles over time. According to the authors, this has implications for how designers and engineers should think about the lifespan of assistive technologies.
Rather than focusing solely on short-term engagement and functional performance, the researchers suggest planning for a robot’s “life cycle” in a household. This includes transitions from functional assistant to keepsake, and even designing for “graceful exits” that acknowledge emotional bonds when a device is no longer in use.
The study also found that children often reinterpreted the robot’s role as they grew older. Some began to “teach” Luka in return, inventing stories for it or using it to comfort younger siblings.
As AI-powered companions become more common in domestic settings, the researchers conclude that understanding how they are remembered—and not just how they are used—will be key to shaping future designs.
