Wellbeing on demand Imagine having a wellbeing coach available 24/7 who can reliably improve your mood. You never feel judged, the coach is always on top form, and sessions are tailored to your personality to keep you mentally well. Dr Hatice Gunes hopes to make this vision a reality – in machine form. A Reader in Affective Intelligence and Robotics at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Computer Science and Technology, she wants to create emotionally intelligent robots that can help make us more resilient to life’s challenges. “The need for mental wellbeing support just keeps growing,” says Gunes. “I have worked with many people experiencing mental health challenges, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only escalated the problem.”