Research trends in entertainment robots: A comprehensive review of the literature from 1998 to 2024

Abstract

Entertainment robots, a subset of social robots designed to engage users, constitute a crucial dimension of human–robot interaction. However, current research predominantly focuses on technical advancements, leaving non-technical aspects, such as user experience and emotional engagement, underexplored. This study examines the research trends and gaps in the field of entertainment robots through a bibliometric analysis of 237 academic works published between 1998 and 2024 and a systematic literature review of 26 non-technical studies published since 2016. The bibliometric analysis reveals a decline in publications after 2022 and highlights that most research has been conducted from a technical perspective, while the literature review identifies a lack of understanding of the human-centered aspects of entertainment robots, including emotional responses and long-term engagement. This study emphasizes the need for future research that address these gaps and is aligned with industry needs, particularly highlighting that more research is needed on user-centered designs that enhance human–robot interaction in entertainment contexts.