The TED video that I viewed was about the integration of robots into a social realm in society. Whereas robots today are being used solely for scientific purposes (experiments, collecting data etc.) these new personal robots would have the ability to connect to their owners on an emotional level. This will be accomplished by having the robots mimic physical human mannerisms and movement such as the way one moves his or her hands while talking or making eye contact when trying to form a connection with another person. Many experiments with the robots employing this human behavior lead to the discovery that many people were connecting with the technology as if it were any other human being, even though the robots couldn't speak any sort of language.
The speaker in the video, Breazeal, believes that robots could be utilized in our society in three main areas: communication, health, and media. In terms of communication, the robots would act as a physical supplement for a real person when humans engage in long distance video chatting. One participant would log into a computer to talk and control the robot, while the other would enjoy the comforts of having a little robot mimicking the gestures of the person talking. This familiarity with physical human interaction allows the robots to increase the bond that is felt when one connects with a loved one from far away; a connection that is weaker when speaking is the only option.
Robots could also act to help humans battle weight issues on a more personal level. Obesity is a huge concern in our generation, and impersonal diet schedules and programs may not work for the majority of the population. Robots will act as a human-like guide meant to personally coach each health conscious individual into maintaining the weight loss that each program offers. This is supposedly helpful in times when a really dietitian or fitness trainer is not present to offer advice or moral support. A bond can be formed with the robot itself, trust can be built, and a healthy lifestyle can be achieved.
The final area in which robots can be socially integrated is in children's media. Breazeal talks of the possibilities of integrating virtual play with reality. This occurs when children interact with a character on a screen, and then are able to physically play with a robot made to look like the character that would emerge from the screen or fantasy world and out into the real world. They could change the robot, and when it entered back into the virtual world, the changes would remain. This is supposed to enhance the depth of play and creative mind of the child.
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