Home / Publications / Hardware Companions? - What Online AIBO Discussion Forums Reveal about the Human-Robotic Relationship

Hardware Companions? - What Online AIBO Discussion Forums Reveal about the Human-Robotic Relationship

TitleHardware Companions? - What Online AIBO Discussion Forums Reveal about the Human-Robotic Relationship
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication2003
AuthorsFriedman B, Kahn PH, Hagman J
Conference NameProceedings of the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2003)
Date PublishedApril
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
AbstractAIBO, a robotic pet, through 6,438 spontaneous postings in online AIBO discussion forums. Results showed that AIBO psychologically engaged this group of participants, particularly by drawing forth conceptions of technological essences (75%), life-like essences (49%), mental states (60%), and social rapport (59%). However, participants seldom attributed moral standing to AIBO (e.g., that AIBO deserves respect, has rights, or can be held morally accountable for action). Our discussion focuses on how robotic pets (now and in the future) may (a) challenge traditional boundaries (e.g. between who or what can possess feelings), (b) extend our conceptions of self, companionship, and community, and (c) begin to replace interactions with live pets. We also discuss a concern that people in general, and children in particular, may fall prey to accepting robotic pets without the moral responsibilities (and moral developmental outcomes) that real, reciprocal companionship and cooperation involves. This research contributes to a growing literature on the human-robotic relationship. Keywords AIBO, companionship, ethics, human-robotic relationship,human values, moral development, online community, online discussion forums, robotic pets, social responses to technology, user conceptions, Value Sensitive Design, virtual pets
Posted by mickwalters on Thursday, 19 February, 2009 /

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