- Title: UK: Robots that respond to humans prove hit at London's Science Museum
- Date: 10th August 2008
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) MATT DENTON, MICROMAGIC SYSTEMS SAYING: ''You get attached to your car so why not get attached to something that gives you more feedback than a car you know, a robot.''
- Embargoed: 25th August 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Science / Technology
- Reuters ID: LVADYCMFISWQUWZM6N88QWV615LH
- Story Text: Built on simple technology and encased in nothing more unusual than plastic and cotton, Heart Robot received an overwhelming public response during a recent three day event at the London Science Museum's Antenna gallery. Along with a six-legged Hexapod called IC, the responsive machines offered an insight into a future where robots could respond to our emotions.
Will robots ever 'feel' scared, loved or lonely? Is there such a thing as an 'emotional robot?' These are just some of the questions posed at the Antenna cyber technology exhibition at London's Science Museum.
The Heart Robot, a flexible plastic puppet with robotic features which reacts emotionally to being scared or cuddled has been winning admirers.
The event coincides with the recent release of the new Pixar film WALL-E starring a lonely robot looking for love on a deserted planet and re-opens the debate about whether robots could one day become emotionally intelligent.
The secret of the Heart Robot's success is his ability to respond to the humans he encounters.
Created by the UK's Bristol Robotics Laboratory, this vulnerable looking puppet/robot has a breathing belly and a beating heart that slows when he's calmed.
He'll also clasp your hand if you reach out to touch him. One said holding him was like holding her own baby. ''The only difference was it was lighter but the actual feeling of holding a baby - It was just lovely and you felt emotional towards it. It was lovely.'' said Aldona Zywicka-Thornton.
"Even though there was like no eyes as such to like watch you, it just really felt as if it was, you know you wouldn't even want to drop it because you'd feel as if you'd hurt it, it was incredible." she added.
But is it a good thing to bond emotionally with a machine? That's the question Heart's creators and project co-ordinator David McGoren wants to explore. 'If it's this easy to get people to have such a strong reaction to such simple technology - What kind of a world is it going to be when advanced technology is put into our machines to draw us into having an emotional relationship with them. What kind of society, what kind of people will we become.'' said it's creator, David McGoran.
With toys coming on the market that can emulate behaviours and even read emotions, McGoran says it's still unknown whether they can help a child be more or less emotionally savvy. But recent research has explored how robots could possibly help autistic children improve their social skills.
Matt Denton, whose insect-like IC Hexapod is also on display here, believes robots can play a positive role in our relationships. ''You get attached to your car so why not get attached to something that gives you more feedback than a car you know, a robot.'' he said.
It looks like these robotics fans would certainly agree. ''I'd love to have one yeah.'' said 9 year old George Coombes. And Jada Oshikanlu, also 9 had just one thing to say, 'WOW'. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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