# Functional Emotion Emotion-based products and services serve a higher purpose. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Mar 7, 2019 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/functional-emotion ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.3/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Functional Emotion trend? **Functional Emotion:** Products that track or tap into customers' emotions and provide solutions based on them are on the rise, including everything from emotional workout retreats to teapots that track and produce beverages based on users' emotions. ## The consumer insight behind the Functional Emotion trend In light of the loneliness crisis and generally more openness to being transparent about mental health issues, many cultures are shifting to have a greater focus on peoples' emotional lives and the optimization of mental health. This has helped create a consumer demand to purchase products or services that help support and even gamify this aspect of their lives. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Dec 19, 2018 to Mar 7, 2019 - Published: Mar 7, 2019 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Functional Emotion trend ### Emotion-based products The rise of products and services that track or tap into customers' emotions and provide solutions based on them, creating a consumer demand for optimizing mental health and emotional well-being. ### Therapeutic robotics The development of realistic robotic animals that can provide emotional companionship and therapy for seniors and those suffering from dementia, offering opportunities for improvement and innovation in healthcare and eldercare industries. ### Connected appliances The trend of connected functionality within kitchen appliances, like the ability to track users' health and environmental factors, creates opportunities for the development of personalized solutions that cater to individual needs and preferences. ## What the Functional Emotion trend means for industry ### For Health and wellness The rise of emotion-based products and services and therapeutic robotics presents opportunities for businesses within healthcare and wellness industries. ### For Eldercare The development of realistic robotic animals for therapy and companionship presents opportunities for businesses within the eldercare industry. ### For Connected appliances The trend of connected functionality within kitchen appliances presents opportunities for businesses within the home appliance industry. ## Workshop question How could your brand reduce feelings of isolation in its customers or employees? ## Trend signals for Functional Emotion Trend score 4.3 out of 10, from popularity 71%, activity 49%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 71% - Activity: 49% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Functional Emotion trend 4 featured examples from Dec 19, 2018 to Mar 7, 2019. - [Emotion-Tracking Teapots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teplo-teapot): The 'Teplo' Teapot Brews Beverages Based on How You're Feeling (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the consumer electronics industry by incorporating emotion-tracking capabilities into existing and new products. - [Therapeutic Canine Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dementia-therapy): Tombot Robotics Designed a Realistic Puppy for Dementia Therapy (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The introduction of realistic robotic companions for therapy purposes can revolutionize how healthcare professionals provide support and treatment to patients. - [Emotional Workout Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-retreatment): The Retreatment by Taryn Toomey Offers a Deeper Experience of The Class (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Creating specialized retreats that focus on emotional workouts, combining physical conditioning exercises with meditation, hikes, communal meals, and dancing. - [Facial-Tracking Emotion Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/facing-emotions-app): The Facing Emotions App Helps Blind People Perceive Facial Emotions (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for disruptive innovation in integrating facial-tracking emotion recognition apps into smartphones. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)