What is a robot? Is it a piece of hardware? Is it software? Is it both? Is it supposed to look like us? Are spambots robots? LIREC, an EU-funded project exploring how we might live with robot companions, held a discussion at the Royal Geographical Society on 1 December 2011. Moderated by Olivia Solon (Wired UK), speakers explored the definition of robots in the world of industry and research. The speakers involved in this fantastic, cutting-edge project are: Prof. Peter McOwan, Queen Mary University of London, Coordinator of the LIREC research project; Ghislaine Boddington, Body data Space; Dr Dan O'Hara, philosopher; Matt Jones, BERG. For more information go to www.lirec.eu