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LESSON

AI 067. What is a social robot?

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ANSWER

A social robot is a type of robot specifically designed to interact with humans in a socially meaningful way, engaging in communication and behaviors that are comfortable, intuitive, and engaging for people. Unlike industrial robots that are designed for tasks like manufacturing or logistics, social robots are intended to be part of human environments, such as homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and customer service settings. Here’s a closer look at what defines a social robot and its functionalities:

Characteristics of Social Robots:

Interactivity: Social robots are capable of two-way interaction, responding to human input in real-time through speech, gestures, or touch.

Communication: They use verbal and non-verbal cues to communicate, including spoken language, facial expressions, body language, and even emotional responses to facilitate natural interaction.

Personalization: Many social robots can learn from interactions to personalize their responses and behaviors to individual users, improving the user experience over time.

Autonomy: Social robots possess a degree of autonomy, allowing them to perform certain tasks and make decisions based on their programming and the data they collect from interactions.

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Advanced social robots are designed to recognize and respond to human emotions, offering appropriate reactions or support, which is particularly valuable in care and therapeutic settings.

Applications of Social Robots:

Education: Social robots can serve as tutors or educational tools, engaging children in interactive learning experiences that adapt to their learning pace and style.

Healthcare: In healthcare settings, social robots assist patients with reminders for medication, provide companionship to reduce feelings of loneliness, and help with rehabilitation exercises.

Customer Service: Social robots are deployed in retail, hospitality, and service industries to provide information, guide customers, and enhance the overall customer experience.

Assistive Technology: For individuals with disabilities or the elderly, social robots can offer assistance with daily tasks, social interaction, and monitoring health and safety.

Examples of Social Robots:

Pepper: Developed by SoftBank Robotics, Pepper is designed to interact with people through conversation and its touch screen. It’s used in customer service, education, and as a companion in homes and healthcare facilities.

Jibo: Often described as a “family robot,” Jibo can recognize and track faces, take photos, provide reminders, and interact through conversation and expressive movements.

PARO: A therapeutic robot designed to look like a baby harp seal, PARO is used in therapy for elderly patients, particularly those with dementia, to provide comfort and stimulate interaction.

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Quiz

What is a primary function of social robots?
A) Performing industrial assembly tasks
C) High-speed data processing
B) Engaging in interactive communication with humans
D) Heavy lifting and construction
The correct answer is B
The correct answer is B
Which technology do social robots often use to adapt their behavior to individual users?
A) Hydraulic systems
C) GPS tracking
B) Machine learning
D) Solar power
The correct answer is B
The correct answer is B
What setting might you find a therapeutic social robot like PARO?
A) Factory floors for machinery operation
C) Residential homes or healthcare facilities for therapy
B) Corporate offices for administrative work
D) Outdoor fields for agricultural work
The correct answer is B
The correct answer is C

Analogy

Imagine if your favorite cartoon character or a friendly pet could talk, listen, and respond to your emotions and needs. A social robot is like that character or pet brought to life with technology. It can understand when you’re happy or sad, remind you of important tasks, help you learn new things, or just keep you company, much like a friend who’s always there to support you.

Social robots blend technology with human-like warmth and interaction, aiming to enrich our lives through companionship, assistance, and by making technology more accessible and engaging for everyone.

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Dilemmas

Privacy and Surveillance: Given that social robots can collect and process a significant amount of personal data, how do we ensure they respect user privacy and do not become tools for unwanted surveillance?
Emotional Dependency: As social robots become more capable of forming bonds with humans, what measures should be in place to prevent excessive emotional dependency, especially among vulnerable populations such as the elderly or those with emotional disorders?
Decision-Making Autonomy: To what extent should social robots be allowed to make autonomous decisions, particularly in sensitive environments like healthcare or childcare? Who is responsible if a robot’s decision results in harm?

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