How people react to robots - Essay Example

A survey on how people react to robots Abstract Response to robot interaction is a recently emerged area of research that is working to understand how the humans perceive and react towards robots in the social interaction scenario. Recent works have shown that people respond differently to robot, but also show a similar flow of character towards the devices. Several future challenges have also been considered in these studies, for instance physical embodiment and correct reading the robot intentions, to come up with sociable robots. Finally, for robots to live up to their mission, the focus will have to drift from competitive generation of robots to production of robots that are functional co-action and co-ordination. Keywords—Human-robot interaction; robots; response; future; panasonic I. Introduction Whatever is happening to technology is affecting the day to day behaviour of humans in all lines of business. Research by [9] show that, robots are invading the human society and this is a reality. From the entertainment, to performing household chores, to looking after the elderly, and to educating the children, people will soon be welcoming and accepting their existence. The changes are inevitable; avoiding this will be fighting a losing battle. Research by [9] on robot revolution shows that, though this will take time, people will need to learn ways of responding to these changes, and try to see the positive impact this will have in the society. That is what this survey is about; response of the humans to robots in the society. II. Problem description Do robots affect humans? How do people react to human-robot interaction? [7] think and believe that the world is on the cusp of a robot revolution; the only issue is how people will or are reacting to these changes. This survey will look into different reactions of people when in contact or communication with a robot; this will include emotional and physical reaction initiated by reactions from comfort to discomfort, from aggression to intimacy when in contact with a robot. Humans are progressively being exposed to robots in their live, but little do they know how these devices influence human emotions. A. Sociable robots Before going into the reactions of humans on robots, one cannot miss noticing the discussion of human-robot interaction in sociable robots [2]. According to [2] the sociable robots are robots that are capable of fully engaging in the social situation and have their own motivation for being involved in these types of interaction. These robots will be capable of interacting with humans on a social level and be comfortable and familiar with them, thereby, allowing the interactions to seem easy and natural [3]. Ref: [1] researcher referred this to simple trust from the humans. Although there are other types of robots for instance; socially evocative robots and social interface: This research will entirely dwell on sociable robots. III. Critical analysis Human robot interaction is increasingly becoming a topic of popular culture and academic interest, and most try to answer the question regarding the role of robots, the ethical issues in relation with its legal issues, and how the robots interact with humans [7]. Though not everyone writer of the popular culture writers have affected the field of robotics research. A. Shampoo Robot Project With the recent technological evolution, robots have been known as objects that can walk, talk or point. However, Panasonic has decided to add another action of robots to the ever increasing list by developing a robot that can shampoo one’s hair. The shampoo-Bot currently is on trial in japan to see how effective it works. Many have argued that it borrows from the car wash machine, but, all the same it is a descent innovation one must say. The hair care robot sounds a fascinating thing to hairdressers. The robot composition includes a reclining chair with a wash basin at the back both mechanized to achieve its task. According to [8] released on YouTube, it first scans the human head to get the idealistic shape with accommodation of a variety of noggins. Ref: [5] claims that it works by releasing shampoo through jet mechanism into the head scalp and massage or scrap gently with its automated 24 robotic fingers. Eight of the fingers work the back of the head and the rest knead the scalp gently. Panasonic is looking forward to commercialize the robot soon after the trial. However, the questions to this project’s success are many. They comprise doubts of the safety of the head under a machine. The health factor given salon operates many clients and other perspective like legal aspects. This paper examines the shampoo robot project and projects an opinion on its future. 1) Technical aspect The technical aspect of Panasonic robotic shampooer is one that is different from the human shampooer. Apparently, the robot is made to simulate or replicate that which hands do when washing our hair with shampoo. The difference here is the fingers. While the human have 10 fingers the robot has 24 fingers. According to [8], “Using robotic hand technology with 24 robotic fingers, this robot can wash the hair of handicapped in the way human hands do in order to help them have better daily lives.” All it takes just like usual shampoo process is to lean back over a salon sink and then the robot massages the scalp and rinses the hair. It even goes an extra level to condition and blow drying the hair. This is argued to take three minutes to wash and five minutes to condition and blow dry. Technically, this is very efficient when compared to manual shampooer and might win the interest of hair dressers. In this regard, the Shampoo-Bot is likely to find its way to commercial if other aspects remain constant. 2) Legal Aspect The shampoo-bot will be working by rendering services to human. One will wonder if such an inanimate property may necessitate rights or duties. Robots aren’t legal persons and have no standing in the judicial system though on the legal perspective the shampoo-bot may need to adhere to the laws or ethics that dictate its code of conduct. The famous are those of science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov’s. His classic Three Laws of Robotics include, first: A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. Second: A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. Third: A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the first or second laws. If the shampoo-bot has observed these basic laws then the other different legal systems may allow its use or not depending with the place. According to [5] some states in the US like Florida, Nevada and California have recently enacted pertinent legislation to regulate these technologies including robots. The success of the Panasonic shampoo robot may temporarily depend on such legalities but as is the case of international community it will depend with the country[2]. 3) Social Panasonic shampoo-bot is going to deal with human clients and how long it will take to reach the remote salons may also depend on the social factor of the robot. Robots have adopted social ability by being able to interact and communicate with humans or other agents [3]. Shall the bot have the ability to recognize social behavior and salon rules that ordinary shampooer. It will then surely have a quick place in the salon in my neighborhood. There are questions whether the Panasonic robot has the physical motor and sensor abilities to associate and respond appropriately. Though, it may not need that much of human interactivity. A robot that is social sounds friendly in such function than unsocial bot. Panasonic shampoo-bot will thrive if it granted the ability to adopt some human behavior especially that it handles services that involve direct contact with human [4]. Though, the robot can get user’s data (preferred washing method, shape of the head) and store to save time when getting their hair washed next time that surely has not made it social robot. 4) Safety and Health The robot might have 24 fingers against the usual 10 finger of human but the guaranteed safety of human might be considered safe in the 10 fingers than the 24 fingers. A head is a delicate organ and few people will trust their scalp’s safety in the 24 fingered inanimate object. Robots like human make mistakes presenting a challenge to the trust of the shampoo-bot. The usage of hot water, massage with the 24 fingers poses a danger to safety shall one of the sensors miss a thing or a problem with the intelligent software running the machine. Hair dressing chemicals also can run hazard when wrongly handled. The head in the sink is supported by neck element of the robot but what if it fails or develops technical problem may be snaps one’s spinal cord. These are just but worries that are of interest for such an innovative idea to be successful in the market. Many clients despite a demonstration are most likely to have their doubts for such a robot. Health is another concern in the shampoo-bot since it will have many clients’ heads going through it. Chances are that some infectious diseases like skin disease may be transmitted through the robot if not well sterilized. The cleaning of such equipment differs from that of gloved hands in one’s hair that are later disposed to avoid transmitting infection. IV. Conclusion Panasonic’s hair washing robot is an innovative idea that may sail through the trial period and be commercialized thereafter. It shampoos, conditions and blow dries a client’s head in less than 10 minutes. Using the 24 fingers it overs a better massage than the 10 human fingers. Like any other robot it may face the challenges in real application but there is no doubt that it will succeed just like other bots have done before. For the robots to fit in the future into the society, research should be done to investigate ways to make the robot touch more human oriented, thereby, acceptable to people; this is because of the fact that most useful robotic tasks or interaction require a robot touch. Cowley in [1] also states that, if in future robots are to be successful in healthcare for instance, the manufacturers are going to improvise ways in which the robots communicate their intention to humans, and how the humans interprets these intentions. Experts and researcher for instance [1]and [9],see robots as a potential tool in enhancing the quality of life especially the elderly or the physically challenged individuals; this can, however, be enhanced even more if, in the future, the robotic research can develop useful robotic champion tools that can set up a long-term relationship with its subsequent users. Lastly, the robotic research movement should provide civil education before the coming of robotic era [6]. The human users should be initiated and made ready for these obvious changes in the near future. References [1] Cowley, Stephen J. Social Robotics and the person problem. Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire, 2010. [2] Freitas, Robert. “The Legal Rights of Robots.” (2012). Date accessed :2 May 2, 2013< http://www.rfreitas.com/Astro/LegalRightsOfRobots.htm >. [3] Ge, Shuzhi S. Social Robotics: Second International Conference on Social Robotics, Icsr 2010, Singapore, November 23-24, 2010 : Proceedings. Berlin [etc.: SpringerLink, 2010. Internet resource. [4] Grossman, Wendy. “Experiments with Sociobots” Robotics and Law (2013). Date Accessed :2 May 2, 2013 < http://blogs.law.stanford.edu/robotics/>. [5] Hornyak, Tim. “Panasonic shampoo robot hits the salon.” CNET(2012). Date Accessed :2 May 2, 2013 . [6] Kidd, C.D. Human-Robot Interaction: Recent Experiments and Future Work. Boston: MIT Media Lab, 2004. [7] Mower, E., Feil-Seifer, D., Matari´c, M. and Narayanan, S. Investigating implicit cues for user state estimation in human robot interaction. Washington, D.C.,: Proceedings of the International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), 2007. [8] Panasonic. “Panasonic Starts Testing of Head Care Robot” Panasonic News Portal (2013). Date Accessed :2 May 2, 2013 < http://news.panasonic.net/archives/2012/0427_10508.html>. [9] Stewart, Jon. Ready for the robot revolution? 2 October 2011. 5 December 2013 . Read More