Hardware Companions? – What Online AIBO Discussion Forums Reveal about the Human-Robotic Relationship

Author	Batya Friedman, Peter H. Kahn Jr., Jennifer Hagman
Year	2003
Abstract	In this study, we investigated people's relationships with AIBO, a robotic pet, through 6,438 spontaneous postings in online AIBO discussion forums. Results showed that AIBO psychologically engaged this group of participants, particularly by drawing forth conceptions of technological essences (75%), life-like essences (49%), mental states (60%), and social rapport (59%). However, participants seldom attributed moral standing to AIBO (e.g., that AIBO deserves respect, has rights, or can be held morally accountable for action). Our discussion focuses on how robotic pets (now and in the future) may (a) challenge traditional boundaries (e.g. between who or what can possess feelings), (b) extend our conceptions of self, companionship, and community, and (c) begin to replace interactions with live pets. We also discuss a concern that people in general, and children in particular, may fall prey to accepting robotic pets without the moral responsibilities (and moral developmental outcomes) that real, reciprocal companionship and cooperation involves. This research contributes to a growing literature on the human-robotic relationship.
Unique Identifier	https://doi.org/10.1145/642611.642660
Bibliographic Information
Keywords	Human-robot-interaction

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Studies[Bearbeiten]

	Beteiligte Personen	Studienbeschreibung	Link	Studienzeitraum	Forschungsgebiet
Hardware Companions - study	Peter H. Kahn Jr Jennifer Hagman	In the study there were online forums analyzed that dealt with the usage of AIBO, a robotic dog

	Eindeutiger Identifier	Forschungsgebiet	Erhebungsverfahren	Erhebungsinstrument	Sampling	Erhebungszeitraum
Coding schema for Hardware Companions