Tech Companies Make Robots Cuter to Win Over Humans

Delivery robots struggle in LA floods, sparking sympathy from residents.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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As tech companies deploy more robots in public spaces, they are designing them to be cuter and more relatable in an effort to win over wary human bystanders. This trend was highlighted when a food delivery robot in Los Angeles was spotted struggling through flooded streets, prompting social media users to express sympathy for the struggling machine.

Why it matters

The increasing presence of robots in public spaces has raised concerns about their impact on society. By making robots appear more friendly and approachable, tech companies hope to ease these concerns and foster greater acceptance of autonomous technologies.

The details

Tech companies are designing their robots with more humanlike features, such as expressive eyes and body language, in order to make them appear less threatening and more endearing to humans. This strategy was on display when a delivery robot in Los Angeles was filmed navigating through flooded streets, prompting social media users to express sympathy for the struggling machine.

  • Last week, heavy rains flooded the streets of Los Angeles.

The players

Los Angeles residents

Locals who expressed sympathy for the struggling delivery robot on social media.

Tech companies

Developers of autonomous robots who are designing their machines to appear more cute and relatable in order to win over human bystanders.

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What they’re saying

“She's doing her best, you guys”

— Social media user (Instagram)

The takeaway

As robots become more prevalent in public spaces, tech companies are recognizing the need to design them in a way that fosters greater acceptance and empathy from human onlookers. This trend highlights the importance of considering the social and emotional impact of autonomous technologies as they become more integrated into everyday life.