Robots – A Childs New Best Friend
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Researchers push the envelope for technology in a study for robotic acceptance using a child-size humanoid robot in a classroom at a UCSD childhood education center — children of toddler age were selected, as they have no preconceived notions or perceptions said Tanaka, the lead researcher for Sony. The 23 inch (58 centimeter) tall QRIO was developed by Sony for nursery schools after researchers found that toddlers are able to regard their artificial friends as human.
In mid-October this year, scientist David Levy’s revealed his controversial thesis, ‘Intimate Relationships with Artificial Partners.’ Levy speculates that robots will become so human-like in appearance, function and personality that many people will fall in love with them, have sex with them and even marry them within the century. Could this be the first step to mankind’s world-wide robotic acceptance as human replacement?
Researchers introduced the QRIO social robot into a classroom of 18 to 24 month-olds for 5 months as a means to study human-robot interactions. The children not only came to accept the robot but treated it as they would a human buddy, hugging and helping it.
“The results imply that current robot technology is surprisingly close to achieving autonomous bonding and socialization with human toddlers.” said Fumihide Tanaka, a researcher at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).
A human controller sent instructions for the robot to perform actions such as giggling or dancing over 45 recorded sessions. The researchers scored the quality of the interactions, noting that the children’s social interaction and acceptance with the robot increased over time. The interactions deteriorated when the robot was reprogrammed to behave in a limited, predictable manner, but improved after the robot had been reprogrammed to display its full range of behaviors.
The robot was programmed to lie down when its batteries were running out. Children would put a blanket on him, saying ‘night-night.’ Some children even cried when he keeled over.
“Initially the children treated the robot very differently than the way they treated each other.” Tanaka said. “But by the end they treated the robot as a peer rather than a toy.”
The most important aspect of interaction was touch, Tanaka said. At first the toddlers would touch the robot on its face, but later on they would touch only on its hands and arms, like they would with other humans.
Pushing the robot backward, it responds by adjusting its balance
and walking backward.
“I think this paper is the first one that has clearly reported the possibilities of small, almost autonomous humanoid robots for toddlers.” said Ishiguro — a robotics expert at Osaka University in Japan.
The researchers are now developing autonomous robots for the toddler classroom. “We are interested in making personal robots that assist teachers in educational settings and enrich the classroom environment.” said Dr Tanaka, adding that the team at UCSD is now developing a robot “specifically for educational purposes” based on these findings.
“It could have great potential in educational settings assisting teachers and enriching the classroom environment.” Tanaka said.
Arkin, a Georgia Tech roboticist, said he wasn’t surprised by the affection displayed by the toddlers toward the robot. “Humans have a tremendous propensity to bond with artifacts with any or all sort, whether it be a car, a doll, or a robot.”
He cautioned that researchers don’t yet understand the consequences of increased human-robot interaction. “Just studying how robots and humans work together can give us insight into whether this is a good thing or a bad thing for society.”
“What are the consequences of introducing a robot artifact into a cadre of children? How will that enhance, or potentially interfere with, their social development? It might make life easier for the teacher, but we really don’t understand the long-term impact of having a robot as a childhood friend, do we?”
Robot in its Borg-like power alcove.
The team’s results suggest that “current robot technology is surprisingly close to achieving autonomous bonding and socialization with human toddlers for significant periods of time.”
Titanium Teacher
Related video: National Geographic’s Japanese Robots Displayed October 17 2007
Sources: The Telegraph, National Geographic, and Sony.
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Guys,
not laughing but smiling. It was amazing when this little fellow was trying to cover robot with blanket. Wow! 
Strange is that we (men) become more humans in front of other creatures like dogs, cats and finally …robots.
When I watched his video I’ve been smiling
Would it be that because of this our kids and their kids will achieve possibility to understand other/outer civilizations?
Amazing that new technology makes us more human-like
Wojciech, I thought the little boy to be adorable when he covered the robot with the blanket, but at the same time, the implications were almost chilling, in that we could be educating society to accept robots on the same level as a human being. This could make David Levy’s theory very plausible.
I think it would be a comfort for the elderly too Deborah…… there are certainly unlimited possibilities…..just look at computers …and how they keep children amused…….of course it would also be wide open to abuse as well……
Robots will be playing an active role in many areas of our lives in the near future. The future belongs to the robots, the sky’s the limit!
Reading this post reminds me of the Hollywood blockbuster “Artificial Intelligence”.
That’s a good point Kim, they could make for companionship for those who don’t have any and long for it.
Very true Betshopboy, I think they’ll be playing a much larger role than we currently suspect. I haven’t seen the movie, but I’ll keep my eyes open for it, thanks!
My son was usually to be seen with a naked cupie doll in one hand, an apple in the other at around this age. He took really good care of the doll. I see no ill effects now he is 22. Other kids have imaginary friends. I see nothing sinister in these robots. If they took on the human complexity we see in sci-fi movies then it may be different.
Good point Sue. I hadn’t thought of it from that perspective.