Robot dogs equally reduce loneliness (The Hindu)

[Swiftwind]

Robot dogs equally reduce loneliness
The Hindu - http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/02/stories/2008030253652200.htm


ST. LOUIS: Dogs may have a hard time wrapping their paws around this one: Robotic competition is nipping at their heels in the man’s-best-friend department.

A study by Saint Louis University found that a lovable real dog named Sparky and a robotic dog, AIBO, were about equally effective at relieving the loneliness of nursing home residents and fostering attachments.

The study, which appears in the March issue of the Journal of The American Medical Directors Association, builds on previous findings by the researchers that frequent dog visits decreased loneliness of nursing home residents.

Andrew Ng, who leads Stanford University’s team in building a home-assistance robot and was not involved in the study, said the strength of the research is very encouraging.

If humans can feel an emotional bond with robots, even fairly simple ones, some day they could “not just be our assistants, but also our companions,” he said.

To test whether residents responded better to Sparky, a trained therapy dog, or the Sony-made robot dog, researchers divided 38 nursing home residents into three groups at a trio of long-term care facilities here.

One group had weekly, 30-minute one-on-one visits with Sparky; another group had similar visits with AIBO; a control group did not visit with either dog. Their level of loneliness — determined by residents’ answers to several questions — was tested at the beginning and near the end of eight weeks of visits.

Investigator Marian Banks delivered the dogs, but did not interact with the residents. In the end, both groups were less lonely and more attached.
The research could mean that a world is possible where robots could substitute for living dogs and help people, Professor Banks said. — AP

[Ritz459]

The only thing I have to say is this: "Why fix it if it isn't broken?"

[Swiftwind]

While I think that nothing could possibly replace a dog, I also think that the robot has a place in this world. Places such as nursing homes and disabled care facilities would highly benefit from a robot dog, which would still bring as much joy as a real dog, but without the added work for the caretakers which a real dog obviously entails. I don't necessarily think they are trying to fix something that isn't broken, but rather exploring new possibilities - ways in which technology can help others and make jobs and lives easier.

[k9hullio_sam]

This is a little weird. It would be like forming an emotional attachment to a...stuffed animal or something? How could you possible replicate the companionship of a dog, and still retain the 'reality' factor for the nursing home residents, or whoever is interacting with the 'dog.'
I would feel a little silly playing with a fake dog.

[Ritz459]

Originally Posted by k9hullio_sam

How could you possible replicate the companionship of a dog, and still retain the 'reality' factor for the nursing home residents, or whoever is interacting with the 'dog.'
I would feel a little silly playing with a fake dog.

This just reminded me of the movie "I am Legend". The main character was so desperate for companionship (going three years without seeing any people) that he treated manicans like they were alive. He greeted them, had conversations with them, he even tried to rescue one. If the only animal interaction I could ever have was with a robot I'd do it in a heartbeat, even if it wasn't real.

I like what my Great Grandpa's nursing home had set up. They had two or three retired racing Greyhounds that lived at the facility and were the "on staff" therapy dogs. I know they made my Great Grandpa's day brighter.