Robotic Pets in the Lives of Preschool Children

Peter H. Kahn, Jr.Dept. of PsychologyUniversity of Washington

Batya FriedmanThe Information SchoolUniversity of Washington

Deanne R. Perez-GranadosSchool of EducationStanford University

Nathan G. FreierThe Information SchoolUniversity of Washington

Behavioral Categories

Apprehension

Affection

Mistreatment

Endow Animation

Attempt Reciprocity

Exploration

Exploration

Behavioral Categories

Exploration

Apprehension

Affection

Mistreatment

Endow Animation

Attempt Reciprocity

Apprehension

Behavioral Categories

Exploration

Apprehension

Affection

Mistreatment

Endow Animation

Attempt Reciprocity

Endow Animation

Behavioral Categories

Exploration

Apprehension

Affection

Mistreatment

Endow Animation

Attempt Reciprocity

Attempt Reciprocity

221

143

294

3920

683

150

1

310

184207

180

Exploration*

AIBOStuffed Dog

* p < .05** p < .01

Appreh.** Affection Mistreat.** EndowAnimation**

AttemptReciprocity**

Behavioral Frequencies

Thanks!http://www.ischool.washington.edu/robotpets/preschool/

Evaluation ResultsANIMACY (N=80)

1. Is X alive? 38  30

2. Can X die? 14  13

3. Is X a real dog? 22  18

BIOLOGICAL SUBSTRATES (N=40)

1. Does X have a stomach? 72 78

2. Do you think X will eat the biscuit? 53 50

3. Does X grow bigger? 35 41

4. Does X pee and poop? 31 35

5. Does X breathe? 36 38

6. Can X have babies? 49 45

AIBOStuffed Dog

MENTAL STATES (N=40)

1. Do you think X will … get the toy? 78 67

2. Can X feel happy? 74 75

3. Do you think X can see the toy? 68 65

4. Do you think X can hear me? 45 48

SOCIAL RAPPORT (N=40)

1. Do you like X? 85 85

2. Do you think X likes you? 80 84

3. Does X like to sit in your lap? 77 89

4. Can X be your friend? 76 82

5. Can you be a friend to X? 76 84

6. If you were sad, would you want to spend time with X?

64 68

MORAL STANDING (N=40)

Do you think…

1. it’s [not] OK that I hit X? 69 73

2. X feels pain? 46 64

3. it’s [not] OK to leave X for a week? 74 73

4. it’s [not] OK to throw X in the garbage?

86 87

5. Let’s say X knocks over a glass of water. Should X be punished?

39 40

Evaluation Results

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Animacy BiologicalSubstrate

MentalStates

SocialRapport

MoralStanding

AIBOStuffed Dog

Perce

nt

Evaluation Results

BIOLOGICAL SUBSTRATES (N=40) AIBO ST. DOG

1. Does X have a stomach? 72 78

2. Do you think X will eat this biscuit? 53 50

3. Does X grow bigger? 35 41

4. Does X pee and poop? 31 35

5. Does X breathe? 36 38

6. Can X have babies? 49 45

MENTAL STATES (N=40) AIBO ST. DOG

1. Do you think X will … get the toy? 78 67

2. Can X feel happy? 74 75

3. Do you think X can see the toy? 68 65

4. Do you think X can hear me? 45 48

ANIMACY (N=80) AIBO STUFFED DOG1. Is X alive? 38 302. Can X die? 14 133. Is X a real dog? 22 18

SOCIAL RAPPORT (N=40) AIBO ST. DOG

1. Do you like X? 85 85

2. Do you think X likes you? 80 84

3. Does X like to sit in your lap? 77 89

4. Can X be your friend? 76 82

5. Can you be a friend to X? 76 84

6. If you were sad, would you want to 64 68

spend time with X?

MORAL STANDING (N=40) AIBO ST. DOG

Do you think…

1. it’s [not] OK that I hit X? 69 73

2. X feels pain? 46 64

3. it’s [not] OK to leave X for a week? 74 73

4. it’s [not] OK to throw X in the garbage?86 87

5. Let’s say X knocks over a glass of 39 40

water. Should X be punished?