In 2030, robots will play a greater part in providing home care and services than they do today. They will still be expensive—some high end models will cost as much as an economy car today—so new owners of these general-purpose household robots will need guidance picking the right unit for their home. Robot technology has reshaped home life, thanks to big investment from companies like Google. Some robots are like humans, able to drive or cook. Others perform more routine tasks, like sweeping, vacuuming, or doing basic pet care.
In many ways, because these home robots will be like servants or caregivers, new owners can expect many changes around the home when one is brought in. For the cases where robots are brought in to assist elderly family members with daily life, the robot counsellor will be an excellent resource for picking the right bot for the family. The counsellor also observes how the family interacts and identifies their needs and lifestyle so that they can make a wise decision about the type of robot that they would need. If a robot isn’t fitting in, or if family conflicts arise due to the new house robot, the robot counsellor is on hand to provide better options and ongoing customer service.

Robot counsellors will need many of the skills that today’s family counsellors have. Their social and communication skills will need to be balanced with an understanding of the technologies that change household routines. As their role is part counselling and part sales, they should be familiar with the all aspects of house robots on the market. For those counsellors who specialize in robots for living assistance, training and education about different cultures and types of generational relationships is also vital.