From Lonely to Resilient through Humanoid Robots: Building a New Framework of Resilience

Abstract

This paper connects different theories and methods from the social sciences and applies them to human-humanoid robot interaction (HHRI) to explain loneliness reduction and the build-up of resilience in older adults through social robots. It allows for userrelated aspects such as age, social connectedness, gender role, personality, and need satisfaction as well as robot-related aspects, particularly coaching behaviors and communication styles. From these scientific considerations, solutions to design challenges are pinpointed, proposing novel interaction schemes that enhance the feeling of support and companionship. This paper also opens the way to conducting empirical research to examine HHRI-related designs, measuring user experience in HHRI, while suggesting applications in HHRI in various settings, such as coaching and eldercare.

Sexbots as Synthetic Companions: Comparing Attitudes of Official Sex Offenders and Non-Offenders

“…Though one can speculate that the sexuality shared with a sexbot could have some arousal effects similar to those enhanced by the use of pornography, an involvement with a humanlike sexbot could have a stronger impact because of the role played by physically interacting with a sexbot that looks and sounds «almost» like a human. Research findings suggest that sexbots seem to benefit some individuals who find it difficult to have a fulfilling emotional and sexual life because of their social isolation, lack of interpersonal skills, sexual inadequacy, or because they are lonely, physically disabled, or elderly [29]. Introducing sexbots into the sexual space that exists between partners, with their desires and their fantasies, can have unexpected effects.…”