Social Robots... the future of machines

As some of you may know, I started Ugobe-- the maker of Pleo. Pleo is a social robot that learns, interacts and experiences the world as if were alive. We created a lot of industry firsts when we introduced Pleo. Pleo was the first truly autonomous robot with life like motion system and AI the world had never seen before. Pleo was the first to adapt and evolve into a LifeForm that was unique to each Pleo-- no two were alike. And Pleo interacted with other Pleos through random group play, if one Pleo started dancing then all the Pleos were start dancing. We called this LifeOS, and it was the engine that made Pleo magical.

Along the way we learned a lot about Pleo and how social robots play a critical role in developing relations with people. The idea of building a relationship with Pleo, a robot dinosaur seemed a little absurd at first but after we witnessed how people of all ages would form bonds with Pleo, as if Pleo was their pet, we were convinced Pleo would change the world, and it did. Today there are over 1.8 million Pleos sold so it's one of the highest selling robots in history with happy Pleo owners worldwide.

So what does Pleo offer us today? A glimpse into the power of social robots and how they will play a large role in our relationships with robots now and into the future. For example, Pleo helped hospitalized veterans at VA hospitals reconnect with their loved ones and hospital staff through social interactions and play, similar to a comfort dog or animal. Dateline, the news show, did a piece on Pleo and how Pleo helped veterans overcome their isolation and loneliness through play and cognitive responses that helped veterans form a bond with Pleo, leading to therapy breakthroughs for the VA staff.

We labeled the Pleo effect on people as "anthropomorphic bonding", a characteristics built into all humans to empathize and identify with something non organic, non life form. We understood that if we could help people bond with Pleo they would be open to new experiences like therapy, learning and play. Once people open themselves to a relationship with Pleo they would show improvements in their behavior, mental health and overall disposition. It was amazing to watch how quickly people responded to Pleo, giving him pet names and requesting more time to interact with Pleo. As a result we had many admirers of Pleo and many requests to use Pleo for therapy applications in healthcare.

Fast forward to today's world of robotics I see the same patterns playing out with humanoid robots-- the desire of people to socially interact with them. So let's dive into the power of Anthropomorphic Bonding... as it will drive a big part of our robot future. Although we labeled Anthropomorphic Bonding for Pleo the industry term is Social Acceptance of Robots or, SAR for short.

Social Acceptance of Robots into society is becoming a large field of study. Researchers such as Sherry Turkle, Cynthia Breazeal, Brian Scassellati, Ginevra Castellano, Heather Knight, and Kate Darling have contributed extensively to understanding how humans perceive and interact with robots. This report synthesizes their findings and perspectives on the social acceptance of robots, highlighting key themes and insights.

Sherry Turkle

Sherry Turkle, a prominent scholar in the field of human-robot interaction, explores how technology affects human relationships. In her work, Turkle discusses the concept of "relational artifacts," where robots are designed not just as tools but as companions that evoke emotional responses from humans. She emphasizes the role of robots in fulfilling emotional needs and suggests that people may develop deep attachments to robots, influencing their social acceptance. Her newest book, The Empathy Diaries: A Memoir?(Penguin Press, March 2021),?ties together her personal story with her groundbreaking research on technology, empathy, and ethics. ?

"Sherry Turkle’s memoir is a page-turner, and I was so drawn in by its vivid narrative and exquisitely drawn characters that it took me a while to realize that this is also a strikingly original book about empathy. The Empathy Diaries is a magnificent capstone to Sherry Turkle’s studies of the human costs of our romance with technology. Drawing on firsthand experience, she shows us how empathy is a lifesaving necessity in human relations and, potentially, a key to our survival as a species." —Carol Gilligan, author of In a Different Voice and most recently, Why Does Patriarchy Persist?

Cynthia Breazeal

Cynthia Breazeal focuses on developing socially interactive robots that can engage with humans in meaningful ways. Cynthia and I worked on Jibo together. Jibo is an interactive social robot for the home. Her research with robots like Kismet and Jibo demonstrates how social cues such as eye contact, gestures, and emotional expressions enhance the acceptance of robots as social beings. Breazeal argues that designing robots with human-like attributes can facilitate smoother integration into society by fostering emotional connections and understanding. Breazeal’s book,?Designing Sociable Robots,?is recognized as a landmark in launching the field of social robotics and human-robot interaction.

Heather Knight

Heather Knight investigates the social dynamics of human-robot relationships through interactive performances and experiments. Her work with comedy robots like Data and Ginger explores how humor and personality influence human perceptions of robots. Knight's research highlights the potential of robots to evoke positive emotional responses and suggests that incorporating humor and personality traits can enhance their social acceptance. https://engineering.oregonstate.edu/people/heather-knight

Kate Darling

Kate Darling explores the ethical and legal implications of human-robot relationships, focusing on issues such as empathy towards robots and the moral responsibilities associated with their use. Darling's research underscores the importance of societal norms and legal frameworks in shaping the acceptance and treatment of robots. She argues for the development of ethical guidelines that promote respectful and responsible interactions with robots. https://www.katedarling.org/#:

Brian Scassellati

Brian Scassellati investigates the psychological mechanisms underlying human-robot interaction. His research examines factors such as trust, empathy, and perceived intelligence in shaping people's attitudes towards robots. Scassellati's work suggests that increasing familiarity with robots and improving their ability to understand and respond to human emotions are crucial for enhancing social acceptance and integration.https://scazlab.yale.edu/people/brian-scassellati

Ginevra Castellano

Ginevra Castellano focuses on the role of empathy in human-robot interaction. Her research explores how robots can recognize and respond to human emotions effectively. Castellano argues that empathetic robots, capable of demonstrating understanding and compassion, are more likely to be accepted and trusted by humans, particularly in caregiving and therapeutic roles.https://www.uu.se/en/contact-and-organisation/staff?query=N14-947

Conclusion

In conclusion, the social acceptance of robots is influenced by various factors including design, interaction capabilities, emotional engagement, and ethical considerations. Scholars like Sherry Turkle, Cynthia Breazeal, Brian Scassellati, Ginevra Castellano, Heather Knight, and Kate Darling provide valuable insights into how robots can be integrated into society in ways that enhance human well-being and societal norms. Their research contributes to a deeper understanding of the evolving relationship between humans and robots, paving the way for more inclusive and empathetic interactions in the future.

But where does this lead us....? What should we expect from robots that socially interact with us? How do we "onboard" a new robot employee? Is there a code of ethics and how to train them to comply with HR expectations? Will fellow workers feel threatened by robots in the workplace or will them embrace them as colleagues or companions?

The Aethon robot is a good example of how people adapt to robots. Nurses and patients give Aethon robots pet names and have designed their routines around the robot. This shows a level of acceptance that is now common place in hospitals.

And then there are robots like Eve, a domestic helping robot that helps clean your home and perform various tasks for you. Should we expect people to give Eve pet names like Aethon robots? Well, if we follow the work of the aforementioned professors, the answer is "yes"! Although a simple answer, the ramifications on our daily lives is staggering. Imagine calling home and asking Eve to prepare dinner or let your pets out? Or Eve sits with your 8 year old, tutoring them on math and science homework?

Soon the world will know Figure 01, the amazing humanoid robot for the workplace. "Figure 01 is AI-powered and self-reliant, ready to produce an abundance of affordable, more widely available goods and services to a degree which humanity has never seen." Are we ready to start our work day with our new humanoid companion? That is what Figure 01 is counting on. Another robot, Agility, wants to help with blue color jobs in the warehouse and logistics. Agility is a task oriented robot while Figure 01 is a job oriented robot. The difference is their level of social adaptance. By being more social and behaviorally aware Figure 01 fits into work environments where Agility lacks social adaptance, and thereby is limited to task oriented work places.

The future of AI + Robotics is Human. We are building machines to be more like us, more adaptable, more intuitive, more empathetic and more engaging. And if you think you're immune from having a relationship with a robot I have one word for you: anthropomorphic. We, humans are anthropomorphic--- we assign the value of life to non living machines without even knowing it. You don't believe me?

Then take a look at the work by Peter Kahn, associate professor of psychology at the University of Washington. Peter conducted a study of people and robots, specifically focusing on empathy. He found that EVERY person in their study empathized with the working conditions of a robot they interacted with. When Peter told the robot to stop talking with people and leave the room, every participant implored him to stop, they wanted to stay with the robot. What is more telling about his research is that people assigned moral value to robots-- treating them as if they were a person. This is big-- if we assign moral value to machines then we're complicit in their creation, whether good or bad. Just like AI, morality works both ways. The more you assign moral values to robots these values could become hard coded in our interactions with them. And, of course, robots can assign moral values to us, humans. They may not like certain people and therefore, assign them a low moral value, leading to dismissive behavior or animosity. Imagine being reprimanded for yelling at a robot? Or being written up for calling a robot a bad name as some form of harassment Peter's work can be found here.

The future is upon us now. Robots are a big part of that future. The question is, are we ready for them? I have the feeling we're not. But just in case, buy a Pleo, it may help you.