Social Robots Through Time: Their Development and Role in Today’s Society
Social robots, robots that meaningfully interact with people, were once a concept confined to science fiction, have become an science reality, providing companionship, assistance, and even exploring new methods of therapy. This article explores the history, purpose, and development of social robots, highlighting their transformative impact on society.
History of Social Robots
A social robot is an autonomous robot that can interact and communicate with humans and other robots by following the social behaviors and rules associated with its role in a group. According to Matthew Aylett, Associate Professor at Heriot Watt and CSO at Cereproc Ltd:
“A social robot works in the human social domain, such as within human conversations and interacting with touch and gesture. Interaction is a key here, for example a lift that tells you which floor it is on is using language but is not interacting socially, whereas a toy like a Furbie or Cosmo, although not using language, is designed to interact socially with children and is a social robot”.
But to understand the evolution of social robots better, we need to go back in time.
The concept of robots dates back to ancient civilizations, where myths and legends spoke of beings made from inanimate materials capable of mimicking human actions, such as Golems in Jewish Folklore. However, the modern history of social robots began in the mid-20th century. The term "robot" itself was coined by Czech writer Karel Čapek in his 1920 play "R.U.R." (Rossum's Universal Robots).
In the 1970s and 1980s, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics led to the creation of early social robots. These robots were primarily used in research settings and were limited in their ability to interact with humans. However, they laid the groundwork for future developments. The 1990s saw significant advancements in sensor technology and AI, allowing robots to perceive and respond to human emotions and behaviors.
The 21st century has seen a surge in the development and deployment of social robots. Innovations in machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics have enabled the creation of sophisticated robots capable of engaging in meaningful interactions with humans. Companies like Honda Research Institute, Hanson Robotics, and Furhat Robotics have been at the forefront of this revolution, developing robots that can understand and respond to human emotions in real-time.
Purpose of Social Robots
Social robots are designed to interact with humans in a way that promotes social, emotional, and cognitive well-being. But what can social robots add to our society? Matthew Aylett explains:
“A key concern with AI is where humans fit in. Social robots offer an embodied means of putting the human at the center of AI, making the potential of this new technology readily available to non-experts.”
Social robots serve various purposes across different sectors:
1. Companionship: Social robots like Jibo are designed to provide companionship, particularly for the elderly and individuals living alone. These robots can engage in conversations, play games, and even detect and respond to emotional cues, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Research also indicates that social robots can significantly improve the quality of life for older adults while reducing the workload on caregivers.
2. Education: In educational settings, social robots serve as interactive teaching aids, helping students with learning disabilities and providing personalized learning experiences. Robots like Haru and NAO have been used in classrooms as educational support for children, and to teach subjects ranging from mathematics to language skills.
3. Healthcare: Social robots are increasingly being used in healthcare for therapy and rehabilitation. For example, robots like PARO, a therapeutic robot seal, are used in hospitals and care facilities to provide emotional support to patients and improve their mental well-being.
4. Customer Service: In the commercial sector, social robots such as Pepper, are deployed as customer service representatives. They can assist customers in retail stores, provide information in airports, and even offer guidance in public spaces.
Development of Social Robots
The development of social robots involves a multidisciplinary approach, integrating advances in robotics, AI, human-computer interaction, and psychology. Several key areas have been critical to their evolution:
1. Artificial Intelligence: AI has been crucial in empowering social robots to perform a wide range of complex tasks. Machine learning and deep learning enable these robots to continuously improve and adapt, making them increasingly capable of complex tasks such as understanding human language, behaviors and emotions.
2. Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP technology enables social robots to understand and generate human language, facilitating natural and meaningful conversations. This technology is especially critical for robots used in customer service and educational settings where clear, easy to understand speech is a necessity.
3. Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): The study of HRI is an emerging field and focuses on how humans interact with robots and how these interactions can be made more natural and affective. Research in this field has led to the development of robots with human-like features and behaviors, enhancing their ability to engage with humans on a social level.
4. Ethics and Safety: The development of social robots also involves addressing ethical and safety concerns. Ensuring that robots are used responsibly, reliably and that they respect human privacy and autonomy is paramount. Developers like Avatarmind, Robot Care Systems, and Savioke, are committed to creating robots that are not only effective but also safe for their users.
CereProc’s Work with Social Robots
Language is a crucial aspect of human social interaction, not just in terms of what is said but how it is said. Speech synthesis is a key technology for social robotics, and CereProc has been at the forefront of this field, offering the first emotional commercial voices, conversational speech synthesis and even singing capabilities. Despite massive improvements in natural language processing with systems such as ChatGPT, speech interaction with social robots is slow, and lacks fluidity, struggling with interruptions or disfluencies. With the CereProc Chatty SDK we are offering systems to our customers which can allow human-like conversational interaction and massively improve the user experience.
Conclusion
The development of social robots represents a significant milestone in the integration of technology and human life. From their early conceptualization to their current applications, social robots have evolved to become valuable companions, educators, healthcare assistants, and customer service agents. As technology continues to advance, the role of social robots in society is likely to expand, offering new opportunities to enhance human well-being and expanding social interaction.