Hardware companions? What online AIBO discussion forums reveal about the human-robotic relationship

Hardware companions? What online AIBO discussion forums reveal about the human-robotic relationship (2003)

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by Batya Friedman

Venue:	Digital Sociability
Citations:	42 - 3 self

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Datum	Value	Source
TITLE	Hardware companions? What online AIBO discussion forums reveal about the human-robotic relationship	INFERENCE
AUTHOR NAME	Batya Friedman	SVM HeaderParse 0.2
AUTHOR AFFIL	; The Information School; University of Washington	SVM HeaderParse 0.2
AUTHOR ADDR	; Mary Gates Hall, Suite 370; Seattle, WA 98195-2840	SVM HeaderParse 0.2
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.	SVM HeaderParse 0.2
YEAR	2003	INFERENCE
VENUE	Digital Sociability	INFERENCE
VENUE TYPE	CONFERENCE	INFERENCE
PAGES	273--280	INFERENCE
VOLUME	5	INFERENCE
CITATIONS	36 found	ParsCit 1.0