Those who did their wellness activities with a robot more akin to a toy reported feeling a better relation to the coach compared to those who worked alongside humanoid robots.
According to research, having robots around the workplace can improve mental health, but the machines themselves have to be acceptable.
According to the findings of the research, people’s perceptions of how useful robots are can be significantly influenced by their physical appearance.
In a study that was carried out by researchers from the University of Cambridge in a technology consulting firm, they utilized two distinct types of robot well-being coaches.
26 employees took part in the weekly wellness classes that were led by robots for a period of four weeks. Because the Misty robot appears to be a toy, it is probable that it lived up to their expectations in this regard.
The individuals’ interactions with the robots were affected by their appearances, despite the fact that throughout the sessions, the robots shared characteristics such as voices, attitudes, and scripts.
Toy-robot users reported a more personal connection to the “coach” during wellness training than humanoid users.
According to the findings of the study, pop Culture, in which the only limitation on what robots may accomplish is the imagination of humans, has an effect on the way in which people view robots.
Nevertheless, when one is confronted with a robot in the actual world, it typically fails to live up to expectations.
The researchers believe that individuals had lower expectations for the toy-like robot because of its more straightforward appearance. As a result, people may have found it simpler to hold conversations and form bonds with the toy-like robot.
Users of the humanoid robot came to the realization that the expectations did not correspond to reality as a result of the robot’s inability to participate in a dialogue that was interactive.
The researchers collaborated with a company that specializes in technology called Cambridge Consultants to create and carry out a program that promotes wellness in the workplace through the use of robots.
Throughout the course of a period of four weeks, employees participated in a total of four unique well-being activities that were conducted by either the Misty II robot (Misty) or the QTRobot (QT).
The QT is roughly 90 centimeters tall and is a juvenile humanoid robot, whereas Misty is about the size of a toy.
Both include customizable screen faces that may depict a wide range of expressions on the user’s face.
According to The Independent, research co-author and pediatrician Dr. Micol Spitale speculated that the toy-like nature of the Misty robot was a factor.
Spitale stated that because QT was humanoid, participants anticipated it to behave humanely, Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that they were underwhelmed.
In Stockholm, during the ACM/IEEE International Symposium on Human-Robot Interaction, the results are being presented.
