Social Robotics: Four Scenarios

WorldFuture 2016 A Brighter Future IS Possible

FORESIGHT

Social Robotics: Four Scenarios

Eric Kingsbury Ciara O’Connell

Karen Jacobs (not present)

Next Gen Foresight Grads from University of Houston


FORESIGHT


The Process

Domain Definition

Scanning Hits

Trending Analysis

Dimension Definition

Scenario Narratives

2 X 2 Matrix

RESEARCH FORESIGHT (GBN)

TEAMWORK


FORESIGHT


“The field of social robotics concentrates on the development and design of robots which interact socially [and emotionally] with humans.” Weber, Jutta. Human-Robot Interaction. Brunswick, Germany: 2008.

www.RoboticsBusinessReview.com Sweet Sixteen for 2016 6

Personal Robots For 2016

Something for Everyone and AnyoneThere is a robot companion to accommodate, enhance and extend most any lifestyle for most any individual, family, age group, career track, culture, health condition or pocket book. From minimalist telepresence to home guardian to helpmate, henchman, tutor, crony, comforter to A.I. wizard, pick your attributes, match them to a robot and bring it home. Get with the movement: The age of shared living with a robot has begun!Here are sixteen for your consideration:

1. A.L Nemo

7.FURo-i

Home Robot

2.Aisoy 1 v5

8.Hovis Genie

13.Personal Robot

(Maya)

3.Buddy (premium)

9.Jibo

14.Smiby

4.Budgee

10.OriHime

15.Synergy SWAN

5.Chapit

11.PARO

16.Tyche

6.Echo

(Amazon’s Alexa)

12.Pepper

The Domain


FORESIGHT

The Domain

Domain Map Social Robotics can be divided into three distinct use cases or applications and each has STEEP elements that influence the domain’s development and future possibilities.


FORESIGHT

Robots become more human-like Robots become more machine-like

Robots remain cost prohibitive to all but a few

Robots hit scale production and are affordable for the masses

Gov’t regulation of robotics for security and privacy reasons

Robotics remain completely unregulated

Robotics / AI do not get any smarter than advanced computers

Robotics / AI gets even smarter – smarter than humans

Robots become more social and emotionally intelligent

Robots become more computational and abstractly intelligent


FORESIGHT


Robots become more social and

emotionally intelligent

Robots become more computational and analytically intelligent

Robots remain cost-prohibitive to all but a few

Robots hit scale production and are affordable for the masses

•  Consumers embrace the next generation of domestic ‘appliances’ to make their lives easier – they are able to automate cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.

•  Better computers and for functional home automation; little interaction

•  Consumers embrace their newest members of the family – entrusting them with domestic tasks and even childcare

•  Constant companion for single-person households, the elderly, children — “best bud”

•  More problem-solvers than companions, reserved for government, corporate and educational applications

•  Full automation in most industries •  Government expands use of robotics

in the military (machines do any necessary killing to avoid the human/ethical issues and long-term PTSD and rehabilitation costs

•  Robots increasingly penetrate high-demand, human-touch fields, e.g. hospitals, nursing homes, schools

•  Industry expands robots beyond just automated manufacturing/distribution tasks to take over in customer service.

Ro-Buddies Helper Bots at Home

Servants of the Overclass Friendly Faces of Industry

Ro-Buddies When robots are affordable and accessible and investment skews toward social and emotional intelligence … •  Consumers embrace their newest members of the family – entrusting them with social

and emotional jobs like childcare and coaching •  Constant companion for single-person households, the elderly, children - “best bud” –

curing a lot of isolation-driven depression and loneliness. Personal robots can be there to listen to you, read your emotional state, and provide positive emotional feedback

•  A personal robot will be assigned to each person upon birth, and play the role of bodyguard and friend – memorizing everything an individual thinks and experiences, ultimately providing nursing care and attending that individual on his or her deathbed – providing social and emotional support from cradle to grave. Family members can even choose to keep the spirit of their loved ones around after they die through their robotic companions.

•  Each family member has their own robot buddy –  Mom’s buddy helps her manage the household calendar, reminding everyone of key

activities and what they need to bring, leads her in a yoga practice each morning, and takes care of all the menu planning and food ordering, either preparing meals herself or coaching mom through a new technique or recipe

–  Dad’s buddy is there to report out on the latest sports scores over coffee in the morning, to mow the lawn before it starts raining, coach him on improving his golf swing, and to help him practice for a big presentation later in the day

–  Junior’s buddy is a great competitor at video games, helps him with his homework after school, and gives him dating advice

Friendly Faces of Industry When robots become expensive and accessible only to wealthy individuals, corporations and other large organizations, and investment is skewed toward emotional and social intelligence, “social robotics” becomes focused on “putting a human face on computation,” to quote Ben Wik at Furhat Robotics. In this scenario, you will find social robots in the public and commercial spaces assisting shoppers, serving as tour guides, also inside corporations, working hard to make automated functions more palatable or comfortable for human beings. •  Social Robotics will revolutionize industries and redefine human-computer interaction.

Furhat Robotics, as an example, is building verticals in public spaces and group interactions.

•  Robots are in place already in hospitals delivering drugs, clean linens and meals while removing medical waste, soiled sheets and trash.

•  Robots such as Paro the harp seal can have a soothing effect on people suffering from dementia.

•  Japan opens first hotel staffed by robots.

•  Robots could provide city functions like providing friendly customer service in the form of directions or information in the urban environment.

Helper Bots at Home When robots become affordable and accessible for all and investment is more in computation and problem-solving and less in emotional and social intelligence, “social robotics” becomes focused on the utility that automation can provide in the homes. Especially for the elderly and disabled, but for all, the new robots are not necessarily interested in being our friends, but friendly butlers, maids, and servants. Their social intelligence means more knowing when to help while staying out of the way. •  Robots will be developed to prepare and serve foot, attend to cocktail parties, garden

and perform general maintenance tasks, all the while interfacing with smart home technologies that can orchestrate their efforts.

•  Robots help elderly people who want to stay at home remain independent and will assist with busy professional households.

•  Robots can talk, answer the door, and can retract and become a Segway to transport you, and serve as a surveillance camera when you aren’t home.

•  The Mobley Robotic chef learns to cook by watching the actions of humans and capturing it in its computerized memory bank for replication.

•  Robots will vacuum your home and get rid of unwanted pet hair.

Servants of the Overclass Because robots become prohibitively expensive and investment is more in computation and problem-solving and less in emotional and social intelligence, “social robotics” becomes robotics employed by the “powers that be” in society, such as government agencies, large corporations and other well-funded organizations. The robots are increasingly employed to maintain existing power structures and quite possibly kept out of the reach of the masses. •  Autonomous robots are used increasingly for security and sentry duty, tied to big data and IOT

security systems; they are used as security by police and government agencies as well as private interests such are corporations, and their social intelligence directed to threat detection and control.

•  Robotics and automation are employed in retail and other commercial ares to facilitate customer service and provide logistics, security, and other functions.

•  Universities will continue to research robotics in computer science departments but will also make increasing use of them in their operations (as they can afford them), again for security and logistics functions.

•  The very wealthy elite will have social robots at their disposal, as they will provide more reliable and customizable service than human beings. It will become a celebrity-level status achievement to have robotic personal staff.

•  The military, police, fire and emergency organizations will employ robots of all kinds to pursue their various duties and objectives, including suppressing protests and similar activities.


FORESIGHT


Conclusion

Domain Definition

Scanning Hits

Trending Analysis

Dimension Definition

Scenario Narratives

2 X 2 Matrix

RESEARCH FORESIGHT (GBN)

TEAMWORK


FORESIGHT

Next Gen Foresight Grads from University of Houston

Questions?

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Social Robotics: Four Scenarios