Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel introduced the term „robot enhancement“ in 2020 and has since used it in several articles and book chapters. Robot enhancement is the extension and associated modification or improvement of the robot by the user or a company, for example in functional, aesthetic, ethical, or economic terms. The word was coined in reference to „human enhancement“ and „animal enhancement“, and can be used to describe both the field of work and the object. One form of robot enhancement is social robot enhancement, in which a social robot is enhanced or modified and improved. An impressive example of robot enhancement is shown in a video by Boston Dynamics. A „naked“ spot and a spot with a dog costume dance together in the hall where Atlas used to be seen again and again. Such robot enhancement should not necessarily be imitated by the user. There are some robots that cannot stand the costume and will heat up – to the point of becoming defective.
Fig.: The anatomy of Spot (Image: Boston Dynamics)
Laptop manufacturer Lenovo launched the Lenovo Daystar robot in 2020. The design of the machine, with four wheels and a cobot on the back, was less than convincing. The latest development is different. The website ifdesign.com reports on the award winner: „Step into the forefront of industrial automation and public services with Lenovo Daystar Bot GS. The groundbreaking six-legged design guarantees unmatched stability and maneuverability that surpasses traditional robotic platforms, allowing it to traverse diverse terrains with ease.“ (iF DESIGN, 2024) The six legs are indeed unusual and a real eye-catcher. There is disagreement about the advantages. Perhaps the six legs provide more stability on stairs and very uneven terrain. The article continues: „Boasting an advanced control system, cutting-edge perception algorithms, and IP66 robust protection, GS outperforms in unforeseen scenarios, enabling comprehensive data collection at any location and time. In our unwavering pursuit of excellence, GS stands as a testament to innovation, efficiency, safety, and the boundless potential of automated exploration.“ (iF DESIGN, 2024) Interestingly, Lenovo itself has nothing to say about the product. However, the media are now reporting intensively. The next few months will bring more clarity about the Lenovo Daystar Bot GS.
The paper „Should Social Robots in Retail Manipulate Customers?“ by Oliver Bendel and Liliana Margarida Dos Santos Alves was accepted at the AAAI 2022 Spring Symposia (Stanford University). The two authors will present it at the end of March 2022 at the symposium „How Fair is Fair? Achieving Wellbeing AI“. From the abstract: „Against the backdrop of structural changes in the retail trade, social robots have found their way into retail stores and shopping malls in order to attract, welcome, and greet customers; to inform them, advise them, and persuade them to make a purchase. Salespeople often have a broad knowledge of their product and rely on offering competent and honest advice, whether it be on shoes, clothing, or kitchen appliances. However, some frequently use sales tricks to secure purchases. The question arises of how consulting and sales robots should ‚behave‘. Should they behave like human advisors and salespeople, i.e., occasionally manipulate customers? Or should they be more honest and reliable than us? This article tries to answer these questions. After explaining the basics, it evaluates a study in this context and gives recommendations for companies that want to use consulting and sales robots. Ultimately, fair, honest, and trustworthy robots in retail are a win-win situation for all concerned.“ More information about the AAAI 2022 Spring Symposia is available here.
Wie verschiedene Medien melden, hat SoftBank die Produktion von Pepper im letzten Jahr eingestellt und wird sie vorerst nicht wieder aufnehmen – es sei denn, es würde sich eine erhöhte Nachfrage einstellen. Die angeblich geringe Nachfrage war der Grund für den japanischen Konzern, sich von dem wohl bekanntesten sozialen Roboter – der oft auch als Serviceroboter fungiert – zu verabschieden. Insgesamt wurden laut Heise ca. 27.000 Exemplare hergestellt. Das ist für einen Roboter in dieser Größe, mit dieser Ausstattung und in dieser Preislage nicht wenig. In den Millionenbereich kam Cozmo, der allerdings klein und günstig war – der Hersteller Anki ging in Konkurs, der „Nachfolger“ Digital Dream Labs (die Eigentümer hatten sich die Rechte gesichert) konnte den von WALL-E und EVE inspirierten Publikumsliebling bis zum heutigen Zeitpunkt trotz vieler Ankündigungen nicht wiederbeleben. Mit Pepper fehlt die Referenz schlechthin für die Soziale Robotik – was auch positive Effekte haben mag, insofern andere Modelle leichter die Aufmerksamkeit gewinnen und überhaupt in den Markt gebracht werden könnten.
