Abstract
We explore the evolving perceptions of social robots among children, highlighting a shift from distinct categorizations of machinelike or human-like to a nuanced view where robots are recognized as mechanical entities with anthropomorphic features. Using Poland as a case study, we delve into the growing presence of social robots, exemplified by the ‘Kerfuś’ robot, which garnered attention for its cat-like appearance. Research conducted over five years reveals changing attitudes in children, with increased exposure to robots leading to a blend of lifelike and machinelike interpretations. Despite a growing understanding of robotic functionality, children, particularly younger ones, tend to anthropomorphize robots, attributing human or animal-like qualities. Age-related differences emerge in interactions with robots like Miro-E and NAO, showcasing a fluid cognitive development in perceiving these machines. We underscore the need to explore how increased robot presence shape children’s evolving perceptions, ultimately emphasizing a trend toward attributing anthropomorphic features to robots while maintaining awareness of their mechanical nature.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported in part by a grant from the National Science Centre, Poland, under the OPUS call in the Weave Programme under the project number K/NCN/000142.
The authors would like to thank Anna Kołota, Anna Grabowska, Zofia Samsel, Maria Kiraga, Maria Halesiak, Mateusz Jarosz, Filip Sondej, Takamune Izui, Maria Dziok, Wojciech Jędras, Gentiane Venture and Bartłomiej Śnieżyński for their help with conducting the studies over the years.
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Zguda, P., Wróbel, A., Gajewski, P., Indurkhya, B. (2024). “He Can Walk, He Just Doesn’t Want To” - On Machine/Human-Likeness of Robots in Polish Children’s Perception. In: Kurosu, M., Hashizume, A. (eds) Human-Computer Interaction. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14685. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60412-6_17
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