Social Robots

Social Robot

• robot that displays emotions and gauges emotional responses from humans

do social robots have emotions

• no they simulate emotions

• do not experience them

difference between social robot and virtual assistant

• social robots are physical

what emotional function can social robots serve

• impact and regulate human emotions

therapuetic benefits of social robots

• help autistic children 

• calm elderly 

• reduce agitation

• provide comfort

JIBO 

• first social robot for home use 

ELIZA effect

• attribute understanding or emotions to scripted programs

Who created ELIZA

• Joseph Weizenbaum, 1960’s

what role did ELIZA simulate

• psychotherapist

how did weizenbaums secretary respond to ELIZA

• emotionallly bonded with it 

• shared personal secrets

what did weizenbaum conclude about secretary’s reaction

• simple programs can trigger human attachment and delusion

PARO

• social robot designed to look like baby seal

when was PARO developed

• began in 1993

• 2005 in Japan

why was PARO a baby seal

• dog and cat versions led to unrealistic expectations

how do social robots help elderly

• calming 

• motivating

• outlet for emotions

how do social robots help autistic children

• encourage social interaction

Sherry Turkle

• MIT researcher studying human relationships with technology 

key argument in Turkle’s Alone together

• social robots can undermine genuine human relationships 

emotional coupling 

• humans forming emotional connections to robots

category confusion

• treating robots like humans as opposed to machines 

asymmetrical emotional relationship

• human feels emotional attachment but robot cannot reciprocate

example of emotional confusion

• edna ignoring great-grandaughter to care for robot baby

uncanny valley 

• discomfort people feel when robots look almost human 

positive uses of social robots 

• therapy for elderly, autistic 

• emotional comfort 

• social skill building 

summary of social robot

• robot designed to display emotions and form bonds with humans