Robot representatives open doors for the isolated
From: ECN - 12/11/2013

Psychologists from the University of Exeter are leading a major project
looking at how robots can enable people to interact in public spaces –
without actually being there.

The £2 million three-year project, Being There: Humans and Robots in Public
Spaces, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
(EPSRC), will examine how robotics can help to bridge the gap between the way
we communicate in person and online.

Professor Mark Levine of the University of Exeter said: "Being able to
interact with others in public space plays an important role in the
well-being of individuals and societies. Sadly, many people are unable to do
this – because they are ill, housebound or unable to travel. However, if a
robot proxy can act for them – and can transmit back the full experience of
being with others - we can help to reduce social isolation and increase civic
participation.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.ecnmag.com/news/2013/12/robot-representatives-open-doors-isolated

Links:
Nao
http://www.aldebaran-robotics.com/en/

Bristol Robotics Laboratory
http://www.brl.ac.uk/

Digital Personhood: Being There: Humans and Robots in Public Spaces (HARPS)
http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/L00416X/1

New project to measure human interaction with robots
http://www.bath.ac.uk/research/news/2013/12/11/human-interaction-robots/

Mark Levine
http://psychology.exeter.ac.uk/staff/index.php?web_id=Mark_Levine