The article discusses the research conducted by Nicole Moore, a psychology graduate from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), on human preferences regarding autonomous robots as companions and teammates. The study, published in the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM), focuses on user-held preferences for autonomous robot design and how these preferences vary based on the robot’s application.
Moore’s research was part of the Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Experience (INCLUDE) program at UAH, where students from various disciplines collaborated on a grant challenge to design an autonomous robot for a simulation of capture the flag against another robot. The study utilized a mixed-methods survey design, where participants read vignettes about robotic sports teammates or robotic social companions and then answered questions about their design preferences.
The findings suggest that there is no “one-size-fits-all” design for autonomous robots. Preferences for robot types and functions vary depending on the specific application. For example, participants preferred the robotic social companion to be more social and emotional in its interactions, while for the robotic sports teammate, a more aggressive interaction with others was valued. The communication modality was also found to be essential, with participants preferring a female voice for the social companion, a masculine tone for the sports teammate, and an authoritative masculine voice for a robotic combat companion.
Regarding concerns about the dangers of autonomous robots and runaway AI, Moore points out that much of the fear comes from sources like Hollywood, but she emphasizes the importance of addressing specific concerns by gauging stakeholders. Participants in the study expressed a desire for a way to turn off or activate a “kill” switch in case of potential issues.
Moore believes that focusing on the benefits of these technologies is essential, as they can be extremely beneficial in various industries and potentially save lives. For instance, autonomous robots could be used in surveillance missions by the military instead of risking human soldiers or assist in the caregiving industry to support the elderly.
Overall, Moore’s research highlights the importance of interdisciplinary work, demonstrating how collaboration across fields, such as psychology, computer science, and engineering, can inform and advance the development of autonomous robot technologies.
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