Robotic pets in the lives of preschool children

Peter H. Kahn, Batya Friedman, Deanne R. Perez-Granados, Nathan G. Freier

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined preschool children's reasoning about and behavioral interactions with one of the most advanced robotic pets currently on the retail market, Sony's robotic dog AIBO. Eighty children, equally divided between two age groups, 34-50 months and 58-74 months, participated in individual sessions that included play with and an interview about two artifacts: AIBO and a stuffed dog. Results showed similarities in children's reasoning about the two artifacts, but differences in their behavioral interactions. Discussion focuses on how robotic pets, as representative of an emerging technological genre in HCI, may be (a) blurring foundational ontological categories, and (b) impacting children's social and moral development. More broadly, results inform on our understanding of the human-robotic relationship.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationExtended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI EA 2004
Pages1449-1452
Number of pages4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2004
Externally publishedYes
EventConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI EA 2004 - Vienna, Austria
Duration: Apr 24 2004Apr 29 2004

Publication series

NameConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

Conference

ConferenceConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI EA 2004
Country/TerritoryAustria
CityVienna
Period4/24/044/29/04

Keywords

  • AIBO
  • Children
  • Companionship
  • Ethics
  • Human values
  • Humanrobotic relationship
  • Moral development
  • Robotic pets
  • Social responses to technology
  • User conceptions
  • Value sensitive design
  • Virtual pets

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design

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