Social robots are robots that interact with humans through social rules, as
opposed to machine rules (which might be expressed through code, remote control,
etc.)  In some cases, this process is realized through simply building a user
interface that obeys human rules for social interaction. In other cases, a
complete system of social cognition must be built in order for the robot to
interact socially. Note that not all robots that interact with humans are social
robots – construction robots that are controlled directly by interacting with
operating software, for example, are not social robots even though they interact
with humans.

Social robots do not have to be in humanlike in form.  Many avenues for social
communication are possible without ever adopting an anthropomorphic stance.  The
relationship between an AIBO pet robot and its human owner, for example, is
social in nature.  R2D2 from Star Wars is also social, because while it
communicates with humans through beeps, that communication follows fundamental
social rules.

Some popular, real social robots are shown below.


	   Furby                           Kismet                   Qrio and Aibo