The Future of Work: Robots in The Workplace
Presenter Type
UNO Graduate Student (Masters)
Major/Field of Study
Mathematics
Other
Data Science
Advisor Information
Dr. Joel Elson
Location
CEC RM #201/205/209
Presentation Type
Poster
Poster Size
44" x 48"
Start Date
22-3-2024 1:00 PM
End Date
22-3-2024 2:15 PM
Abstract
Computers as Social Actors Theory (CASA) suggests that humans attribute social norms—such as politeness—to computers; the first study to evaluate CASA found that people gave more favorable ratings to a computer assistant when they were required to make their evaluation by using that very same computer to do so (Nass et al., 1994). Despite CASA’s prevalence, there has been little research into whether it applies to robots as well as computers. The present study sought to reexamine Nass et al. (1994)’s first experiment in the context of evaluating a tour guide robot. To facilitate this, a commercially available robot was programmed to conduct tours of the Koraleski Commerce and Applied Behavioral Laboratory. Participants were instructed to follow the robot during the tour and withhold any questions until after the tour. Following the tour, participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the first group rated the robot’s performance directly on its touchscreen interface, while the other group rated the robot via a discrete tablet computer. The results of this experiment were inconclusive and showed that there was not a statistically significant difference in rating scores between those made on the tablet and those made on the robot’s touchscreen. The implication of this null result is that support for or against CASA was not found in the case of robot-led tours.
The Future of Work: Robots in The Workplace
CEC RM #201/205/209
Computers as Social Actors Theory (CASA) suggests that humans attribute social norms—such as politeness—to computers; the first study to evaluate CASA found that people gave more favorable ratings to a computer assistant when they were required to make their evaluation by using that very same computer to do so (Nass et al., 1994). Despite CASA’s prevalence, there has been little research into whether it applies to robots as well as computers. The present study sought to reexamine Nass et al. (1994)’s first experiment in the context of evaluating a tour guide robot. To facilitate this, a commercially available robot was programmed to conduct tours of the Koraleski Commerce and Applied Behavioral Laboratory. Participants were instructed to follow the robot during the tour and withhold any questions until after the tour. Following the tour, participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the first group rated the robot’s performance directly on its touchscreen interface, while the other group rated the robot via a discrete tablet computer. The results of this experiment were inconclusive and showed that there was not a statistically significant difference in rating scores between those made on the tablet and those made on the robot’s touchscreen. The implication of this null result is that support for or against CASA was not found in the case of robot-led tours.