Mnemonic Convergence: From Empirical Data to Large-Scale Dynamics

This study builds on the assumption that large-scale social phenomena emerge out of the interaction between individual cognitive mechanisms and social dynamics. Within this framework, we empirically investigated the propagation of memory effects (retrieval induced forget- ting and practice effects) through sequences of social interactions. We found that the influence a public figure has on an individual’s memories propagates in conversations between attitudinally similar, but not attitudinally dissimilar interactants, further affecting their subsequent memories [3]. The implementation of this transitivity principle in agent based simulations revealed the impact of community size, number of conversations and network structure on the dynamics of collective memory

Care-O-bot® 3 - Vision of a robot butler

This chapter promotes the idea of a robot butler and investigates the advantages and disadvantages of embodiment for the proposed scenario,Tina and her butler". In order to make the discussion more tangible, Care-O-bot® 3 is introduced, which is the newest version of the Care-O-bot® series developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA in Stuttgart, Germany. Remarkably, the prominent role of this robot was chosen to be a butler's. A brief overview is given of current human-robot interaction research, focusing on how users react to the idea of a robot companion. The results of different user studies provided inspiration during the design phase of Care-O-bot® 3, in particular with respect to the robot's appearance and the user interaction concept. The technological aspects are covered shortly before user interaction scenarios embedded in research projects related with Care-O-bot® 3 are presented. Results from real life trials conducted in an elderly care facility are given afterwards. Against the background of these scenarios, the benefits and drawbacks of embodiment for the virtual butler scenario are discussed using the example of Care-O-bot® 3

Anthropomorphism and Human Likeness in the Design of Robots and Human-Robot Interaction

Abstract. In this literature review we explain anthropomorphism and its role in the design of socially interactive robots and human-robot interaction. We illustrate the social phenomenon of anthropomorphism which describes people’s tendency to attribute lifelike qualities to objects and other non lifelike artifacts. We present theoretical backgrounds from social sciences, and integrate related work from robotics research, including results from experiments with social robots. We present different approaches for anthropomorphic and humanlike form in a robot’s design related to its physical shape, its behavior, and its interaction with humans. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of anthropomorphism in robotics, collects and reports relevant references, and gives an outlook on anthropomorphic human-robot interaction