Ten years ago, I went to Japan to interview designers and scientists of the future. Our idea of robots was still strongly linked to science fiction and technology that was far removed from our everyday lives. Today, however, we are in the “future” — and seeing how many of the predictions have come true is both incredible and disturbing.
” Do you ever feel lonely?“ I asked the first humanoid I met. ”Yes, I feel lonely at night.”
During that trip, I interviewed the father of humanoids, Hiroshi Ishiguro, who introduced me to an android copy of himself called HI-6. Ten years later, HI-6 has developed a form of self-esteem that is reflected in its ability to respond and interact verbally.
“Humans always feel a certain tension towards others,” Ishiguro explained to me, “while robots are much simpler. They are programmed. And people trust a robot more than another human being.”
Ten years ago, it was predicted that robots would become an integral part of our society, our lives, and the world of work. Today, I can say that this is indeed the case.
The evolution of robotics in Japan
At the time, Ishiguro explained to me that his Gemini HI-6 android had been designed without the use of artificial intelligence. In 2025, however, the scenario has changed profoundly.
Japan is still one of the world leaders in robotics, but the landscape has expanded considerably. The density of industrial robots has increased exponentially and, at the same time, service robotics—robots designed to interact with humans—has taken a huge leap forward.
The most radical innovations concern not only the appearance or movements of robots, but their ability to learn and adapt. They no longer just follow instructions: they learn, analyze data, and self-regulate. Thanks to generative artificial intelligence and real-time simulation, robots are now able to adapt to new tasks and complex environments. Some are built with flexible materials—so-called “soft” robots—and are used for surgery, home care, and other delicate contexts.
Artificial intelligence has become a “physical” component of robots: they learn, react, and decide. They are ideal for working alongside humans as allies, even in unpredictable situations.
The robots of Waseda University
At the Humanoid Robotics Institute at Waseda University in Tokyo, we met a group of researchers working on the development of robots to assist the elderly and intervene in emergency situations, such as natural disasters.
Waseda actively collaborates with the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, and among the Italian researchers working there is Gabriele Trovato from Livorno. One of the most important lines of research is the study of emotions in humanoid robots and how they can respond to different human needs.
The Kobian robot, for example, is capable of expressing emotions through both body language and facial expressions. It can even simulate a tear to create empathy with people.
Today, the relationship between humans and robots has changed radically. Robots are no longer just tools: they are becoming collaborators, assistants, and companions. Robotics has entered sectors such as logistics, healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, and domestic life. With the evolution of digital infrastructure, robots are increasingly connected and integrated into intelligent networks, capable of exchanging data in real time and working in synergy.
The future is now
Looking back on that first encounter with robotics in Japan, we can now say that robots are no longer a promise for the future, but a concrete, active, and constantly evolving presence.
