Electrolux Silver Generation Project

A few months ago, my 4 year old daughter found Pleo, a robotic pet dinosaur in a shop here in Singapore. It was love at first sight, she pushed her younger sister away to get the sole attention from this wondrous creature and she was devastated when she had to leave him behind. Though I was not prepared to pay 800$ for Peblo I could relate to my daughters feelings. He was very charming.

That robots has the ability to form emotional bonds with people has already been proven by research and this experience proved it to me.  Paro, a robotic seal is being used as therapy in nursing homes.

With an aging population and shortage in manpower “Japanese scientists are pushing hard to develop advanced androids and integrate them into human society.“

South Korea is investing in robotics and plan to open two theme parks by 2013.

How do you think you would emotionally connect to robots?

Pernilla