Social robotics for children: an investigation of manufacturers’ claims
As the market for commercial children’s social robots grows, manufacturers’ claims around the functionality and outcomes of their products have the potential to impact consumer purchasing decisions. In this work, we qualitatively and quantitatively assess the content and scientific support for claim...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Robotics and AI |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frobt.2023.1080157/full |
| _version_ | 1797386002681036800 |
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| author | Jill A. Dosso Jill A. Dosso Anna Riminchan Anna Riminchan Julie M. Robillard Julie M. Robillard |
| author_facet | Jill A. Dosso Jill A. Dosso Anna Riminchan Anna Riminchan Julie M. Robillard Julie M. Robillard |
| author_sort | Jill A. Dosso |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As the market for commercial children’s social robots grows, manufacturers’ claims around the functionality and outcomes of their products have the potential to impact consumer purchasing decisions. In this work, we qualitatively and quantitatively assess the content and scientific support for claims about social robots for children made on manufacturers’ websites. A sample of 21 robot websites was obtained using location-independent keyword searches on Google, Yahoo, and Bing from April to July 2021. All claims made on manufacturers’ websites about robot functionality and outcomes (n = 653 statements) were subjected to content analysis, and the quality of evidence for these claims was evaluated using a validated quality evaluation tool. Social robot manufacturers made clear claims about the impact of their products in the areas of interaction, education, emotion, and adaptivity. Claims tended to focus on the child rather than the parent or other users. Robots were primarily described in the context of interactive, educational, and emotional uses, rather than being for health, safety, or security. The quality of the information used to support these claims was highly variable and at times potentially misleading. Many websites used language implying that robots had interior thoughts and experiences; for example, that they would love the child. This study provides insight into the content and quality of parent-facing manufacturer claims regarding commercial social robots for children. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:02:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d6310875435f42ce93467a577181ec92 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-9144 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:02:34Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Robotics and AI |
| spelling | doaj.art-d6310875435f42ce93467a577181ec922023-12-19T11:02:47ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Robotics and AI2296-91442023-12-011010.3389/frobt.2023.10801571080157Social robotics for children: an investigation of manufacturers’ claimsJill A. Dosso0Jill A. Dosso1Anna Riminchan2Anna Riminchan3Julie M. Robillard4Julie M. Robillard5Neuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CanadaNeuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) Laboratory, British Columbia Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, CanadaNeuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CanadaNeuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) Laboratory, British Columbia Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, CanadaNeuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CanadaNeuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) Laboratory, British Columbia Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, CanadaAs the market for commercial children’s social robots grows, manufacturers’ claims around the functionality and outcomes of their products have the potential to impact consumer purchasing decisions. In this work, we qualitatively and quantitatively assess the content and scientific support for claims about social robots for children made on manufacturers’ websites. A sample of 21 robot websites was obtained using location-independent keyword searches on Google, Yahoo, and Bing from April to July 2021. All claims made on manufacturers’ websites about robot functionality and outcomes (n = 653 statements) were subjected to content analysis, and the quality of evidence for these claims was evaluated using a validated quality evaluation tool. Social robot manufacturers made clear claims about the impact of their products in the areas of interaction, education, emotion, and adaptivity. Claims tended to focus on the child rather than the parent or other users. Robots were primarily described in the context of interactive, educational, and emotional uses, rather than being for health, safety, or security. The quality of the information used to support these claims was highly variable and at times potentially misleading. Many websites used language implying that robots had interior thoughts and experiences; for example, that they would love the child. This study provides insight into the content and quality of parent-facing manufacturer claims regarding commercial social robots for children.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frobt.2023.1080157/fullsocial robothealthchild developmentconsumer informationinternetsocial interaction |
| spellingShingle | Jill A. Dosso Jill A. Dosso Anna Riminchan Anna Riminchan Julie M. Robillard Julie M. Robillard Social robotics for children: an investigation of manufacturers’ claims Frontiers in Robotics and AI social robot health child development consumer information internet social interaction |
| title | Social robotics for children: an investigation of manufacturers’ claims |
| title_full | Social robotics for children: an investigation of manufacturers’ claims |
| title_fullStr | Social robotics for children: an investigation of manufacturers’ claims |
| title_full_unstemmed | Social robotics for children: an investigation of manufacturers’ claims |
| title_short | Social robotics for children: an investigation of manufacturers’ claims |
| title_sort | social robotics for children an investigation of manufacturers claims |
| topic | social robot health child development consumer information internet social interaction |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frobt.2023.1080157/full |
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