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Robot Becomes One of the Kids

Posted by kdawson on from the everybody-say-awwww dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Researchers have found that toddlers treat a small robot as a peer rather than a toy. A team from the University of California, San Diego, placed Sony's QRIO in a classroom of kids aged 18 months to 2 years and watched them interact. Over time the children grew to treat the robot as one of them — playing games with the robot, hugging it, and covering it up with a blanket when its batteries ran down."

16 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. Cue "Robot Overlord" jokes! by iknownuttin · · Score: 5, Funny
    ...but a new study shows that a giggling robot is sophisticated enough to get toddlers to treat it as a peer.

    "Robot Overlord" jokes are actually on topic!

    --
    I prefer Flambe as apposed flamebait.
  2. A brain the size of a planet by stoolpigeon · · Score: 5, Funny

    and they put me in the middle of a room full of toddlers.

    Life? Don't talk to me about life.

    --
    It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
  3. Wait what did that researcher say by techpawn · · Score: 3, Funny

    Over time the children grew to treat the robot as one of them -- playing games with the robot, hugging it, and covering it up with a blanket when its batteries ran down."
    Some researcher said sex with robots in the next 20 years right? Might as well start em early...
    --
    Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what your country did to you
    1. Re:Wait what did that researcher say by aphexcoil2 · · Score: 3, Funny

      So you're saying Slashdotters will be able to lose their virginity in 20 years? Sweet!

  4. Too bad Sony cancelled the QRIO... by Mysticalfruit · · Score: 3, Funny

    They looked like really slick pieces of technology. Though, if I ever got one, I'd be too tempted to program it to act like Gir...

    --
    Yes Francis, the world has gone crazy.
  5. May I be the first to say... by the0 · · Score: 2, Funny
    Awwwww.

    "...and covering it up with a blanket when its batteries ran down."
  6. Re:They do the same with a dog.. by joshuac · · Score: 5, Funny

    I still think my Mom likes her Roomba more than me....

    Wrong appliance.
  7. Alphie by kisrael · · Score: 4, Funny

    I was an only child in a neighborhood without many kids.
    I really liked "Alphie", this game playing robot (circa 1979).
    Had him for years, then let some other kids play with him and he broke.

    Lesson learned: other kids suck.

    --
    SO YOU'RE GOING TO DIE: The Comic for Dealing with Death
  8. Re:They do the same with a dog.. by blindd0t · · Score: 3, Funny

    These days, it's generally preferred that there's not even a carpet that needs cleaning.

  9. Re:They do the same with a dog.. by dajak · · Score: 2, Funny

    I imagine that I will teach my 10 months old son my prejudices later, just like I am teaching him right now not to torture the cat.

  10. Peers by Karl0Erik · · Score: 3, Funny

    Over time the children grew to treat the robot as one of them -- playing games with the robot, hugging it, and covering it up with a blanket when its batteries ran down.

    As a kid, I don't recall covering my friends with blankets when their batteries ran down.

  11. Re:They do the same with a dog.. by corifornia2 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I saw we give the robot lasers and a buzz saw and see how the kid treat it then.

  12. Re:Awww...... by mstahl · · Score: 4, Funny

    Nah it's not just you. I'm a guy and I seriously awww'd loud enough that the whole office took notice. It's seriously the most adorable thing I've read in a few days.

  13. Re:yeah.. by glittalogik · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...who also received far more rough treatment. Proof that defilement of corpses is a naturally evolved trait.
  14. Eventually ... by PPH · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... robots will become so lifelike that the teachers will try to have sex with them.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  15. I can hear it now... by maciarc · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Teacher, I gave Robby my milk cause he didn't have any. Now he's making funny noises..."