"I can call this kind of robot over and tell it I want to talk with someone, just as I use my PC to connect with people today, " Trower says.

FORBES: Household Robots

" He just said, "Come on, I want you to hear someone.

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Ms. BIONDOLILLO: I think people in general are just angry or depressed and they want someplace to take their anger out on someone.

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"I want my team to focus on us carrying this through, not just doing a research flight and then waiting for someone to take it to the next step, " he said.

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