Psychologists and social scientists are studying the way dogs and humans bond to build better interactive robots.
like chatbots and avatars, physical robots are interesting because they can actually interact with humans and their surroundings as assistants and companions.
But what kind of qualities do humans find appealing in these types of robots? And what characteristics can be improved upon? Psychologists and social scientists from the University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, Macquarie University and Western Sydney University set out to investigate just that. A study they published this week in the journallooked into the pet traits that encouraged humans to bond with them.
To expand on these, owners liked when their dogs played, cooperated, or participated in experiences together with them. They also liked when dogs remained in close contact and frequently checked in. Moreover, they also wanted dogs to respond to commands, communicate their needs, be consistent with their behaviors, and express joy or enthusiasm during interactions.