Of course they do! Stuff like this does not replace human interaction, in both meanings. 1) No one "stops" visiting ill children because this robot exist, rig

Of course they do! Stuff like this does not replace human interaction, in both meanings. 1) No one "stops" visiting ill children because this robot exist, right? I know someone who is a "clinic clown", who keeps children a little bit happier by clowning around with a red round nose and funny make-up. Stuff like this will not "stop" because there is now a "better alternative". 2) This is in the same way a "solution" like a improvised splint is a solution to a broken leg. Not perfect in any way, not something forever, but it's better than nothing. And "nothing" is the alternative for many people. I worked in an elderly home after high school. Many of those people never had any visitors in a whole year, and the facility was severly understaffed, preventing us from "replacing" their families a bit. While I'm hoping that most childs in hospital get more visitors, I'm sure many are very lonely too. I too would wish for it to be different. But we can't force people to interact with other people, can we? If robots can emulate human emotions and affection close enough to at least ease the pain for those people, it's better than nothing, no? :-)