Social robotics serves as a crucial link between robotics and society, introducing intelligent, embodied agents designed to seamlessly integrate into human environments. This chapter provides a comprehensive introduction to social robots, defining their core characteristics, examining research advancements, and exploring the factors influencing their behavior and design. Applications across sectors such as healthcare, education, and service industries are also discussed. Key design principles and architectural components are outlined, alongside an analysis of ethical considerations and societal expectations. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of social robotics and its role in fostering sustainable human-robot coexistence within a broader ecosystem. This foundational guide offers insights for research students exploring this rapidly evolving field and contributing to the development of social robots based societal applications.