Effects of a Social Robot's Autonomy and Group Orientation on Human Decision-Making

Social attributes of intelligent robots are important for human-robot systems. This paper investigates influences of robot autonomy (i.e., high versus low) and group orientation (i.e., ingroup versus outgroup) on a human decision-making process. We conducted a laboratory experiment with 48 college students and tested the hypotheses with MANCOVA. We find that a robot with high autonomy has greater influence on human decisions than a robot with low autonomy. No significant effect is found on group orientation or on the interaction between group orientation and autonomy level. The results provide implications for social robot design

Caring robots are here to help

Introducing Transcultural Robotic Nursin

The influence of culture on attitudes towards humanoid and animal‐like robots: an integrative review

Purpose The aim of the present review is to explore the influence of culture on attitudes towards humanoid and animal‐like robots. Design An integrative review of current evidence. Methods Medline, CINAHL, PsycInfo, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched from 2000 to 2017. A total of 22 articles met the inclusion criteria and were retrieved and analyzed. Findings Culture influences attitudes and preferences towards robots, but due to the limitations of the reviewed studies, concrete conclusions cannot be made. More consistent evidence was found with regard to the influence of culture on nonverbal behaviors and communication styles, with people being more accepting of a robot that behaved more closely to their own culture. Conclusions The research field of human–robot interaction provides the current evidence on the influence that culture has on attitudes towards humanoid and animal‐like robots, but more research that is guided by strong theoretical frameworks is needed. Clinical Relevance With the increased use of humanoid robots in the healthcare system, it is imperative that nurses and other healthcare professionals explore and understand the different factors that can affect the use of robots with patients

An Evaluation Schema for the Ethical Use of Autonomous Robotic Systems in Security Applications

We propose a multi-step evaluation schema designed to help procurement agencies and others to examine the ethical dimensions of autonomous systems to be applied in the security sector, including autonomous weapons systems

Preparing for Industrial Collaborative Robots: A Literature Review of Technology Readiness and Acceptance Models

This item is only available electronically.Collaborative robots (cobots) are an emerging technology that are increasingly being introduced into organisations. However, research investigating employee attitudes towards, or assessment of factors predicting acceptance of cobots is limited. A literature review was conducted to identify reliable and parsimonious models of technology acceptance that would hold relevance when applied to cobots. Understanding and facilitating employee acceptance of such technology is important if the improved productivity, job satisfaction and cost savings associated with its implementation are to be achieved. The Technology Readiness Index (Parasuraman, 2000) and Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, 1989) were considered most appropriate as a starting point to empirically explore cobot acceptance.Thesis (M.Psych(Organisational & Human Factors)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 201

Visions, Values, and Videos: Revisiting Envisionings in Service of UbiComp Design for the Home

UbiComp has been envisioned to bring about a future dominated by calm computing technologies making our everyday lives ever more convenient. Yet the same vision has also attracted criticism for encouraging a solitary and passive lifestyle. The aim of this paper is to explore and elaborate these tensions further by examining the human values surrounding future domestic UbiComp solutions. Drawing on envisioning and contravisioning, we probe members of the public (N=28) through the presentation and focus group discussion of two contrasting animated video scenarios, where one is inspired by "calm" and the other by "engaging" visions of future UbiComp technology. By analysing the reasoning of our participants, we identify and elaborate a number of relevant values involved in balancing the two perspectives. In conclusion, we articulate practically applicable takeaways in the form of a set of key design questions and challenges.Comment: DIS'20, July 6-10, 2020, Eindhoven, Netherland

Towards a socio cognitive perspective of presenteeism, leadership and the rise of robotic Interventions in the workplace

This thesis intends to investigate the relationship between the presenteeism phenomenon and the leadership construct, by analyzing a new concept in the literature, leadership presenteeism. Second, it explores robotic leadership and the impact of human-leadership styles in teams headed by social robots. Third, it investigates the role of robots as health-promoting agents within workplaces, contributing to workers’ improvements in a set of organizational variables. The thesis includes seven empirical studies, divided in four papers. Paper 1 findings suggest that individuals perceive themselves as less productive when they work with a leader with a psychological or contagious illness. Paper 2 reveals that robots can properly perform leadership roles while leading human teams, and achieve the same organizational outcomes as human leaders. Moreover, robots performing both transformational and transactional leadership styles can impact positively different organizational outcomes. In paper 3 a robot was used as a health behavior promoting agent in a single-arm intervention, with two assessment points in time. Results showed that the intervention with the robot enabled to improve a set of psychological health behavior constructs. Finally, paper 4 aimed to compare the health behavior change intervention between two groups: one guided by a robotic agent and the other by a human agent. Results showed that the intervention with the robot agent was associated with improvements in individuals’ productivity despite presenteeism and well-being levels. This thesis contributes to the understanding of the relationship between presenteeism and leadership constructs, while seeks also to contribute and extend SCT and HAPA theoretical framework.A presente tese pretende analisar a relação entre o fenómeno do presentismo e o construto de liderança, através da análise de um novo conceito na literatura, a liderança de presentismo. Em segundo lugar, explora a liderança robótica e o impacto dos estilos de liderança humana em equipas lideradas por robôs. Terceiro, investiga o papel dos robôs como agentes promotores da saúde nos locais de trabalho, contribuindo para a melhoria de um conjunto de variáveis organizacionais. A tese inclui sete estudos empíricos, divididos em quatro artigos. Os resultados do artigo 1 sugerem que os indivíduos se consideram menos produtivos quando trabalham com um líder com uma doença psicológica ou contagiosa. O artigo 2 revela que os robôs podem desempenhar corretamente papéis de liderança em equipas humanas, alcançando os mesmos resultados organizacionais que os líderes humanos. Além disso, os robôs podem desempenhar tanto estilos de liderança transformacional como transacional, com impactos positivos em diversos resultados organizacionais. No artigo 3 foi utilizado um robô como agente promotor de comportamentos de saúde. Os resultados mostraram que a intervenção permitiu melhorar um conjunto de variáveis ligadas a comportamentos psicológicos de saúde. Finalmente, o artigo 4 visou comparar a mesma intervenção entre dois grupos: um guiado por um agente robótico e o outro por um agente humano. Os resultados mostraram que a intervenção com o agente robô esteve associada a melhorias na produtividade dos indivíduos e nos respetivos níveis de bem-estar. Esta tese contribui para a compreensão da relação entre o presentismo e a liderança, ao mesmo tempo que procura também contribuir e alargar o quadro teórico da SCT e do modelo HAPA