WATCH: Robots are getting more social. Are humans ready?

Boston — Personal home robots that can socialise with people are starting to roll out of the laboratory and into our living rooms and kitchens.

But are humans ready to invite them into their lives?

Two pioneers in a new vanguard of cute, sociable robots - Jibo, a curvy talking speaker, and Kuri, a cartoonish wheeled "nanny" - haven't caught on with consumers because of their hefty price tags and limited abilities.

READ: 'Hi, I'm Pepper' - first humanoid robot in SA gently introduces herself

Early social robots have so far been losing out to immobile smart speakers made by Amazon, Apple and Google that are a fraction of the price.

That hasn't stopped ambitious robot-makers from launching additional life-like robots into the market.

The makers of Vector, a less expensive home robot that was unveiled on Wednesday, hope theirs will be a bigger hit.

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