How to Make a Social Robot
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An Industry Proudly Comes of Age at Boston Event Business conclaves are always an excellent barometer of the state of the industry they’re focused on. And the Robotics Trends RoboBusiness Leadership Summit 2011, held last week in Boston, was no exception. Optimism reigned supreme throughout the two-day event, reflecting a view that the robotics industry was now back and stronger than ever, following months of slowed performance brought on by the recession. |
The California-based Kavli Foundation, dedicated to advancing the field of science, recently explored that question via an all-start panel discussion, noting that in order to be effective, so-called social robots, or those often tasked with helping the elderly and infirm in their homes, must first off be “socially acceptable to people who interact with them.” And discovering how to make robots acceptable or even endearing to their users is a multi-disciplinary effort.
Ergo, participating panelists included: University of Southern California Professor of Computer Science, Neuroscience and Pediatrics Maja Matarić, who is also director of the Center for Robotics and Embedded Systems at SoCal; University of California, San Diego, Assistant Professor of Cognitive Sciences and Neurosciences Ayse Saygin; along with Assistant Professor of Interactive Computing and Director of the Social Intelligent Machines Laboratory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Andrea Thomaz.
