The restrictions imposed by the pandemic have heightened the isolation and feelings of loneliness for many people. To remedy this, Canadians have flocked to domestic animals. Cat and dog adoptions have increased sharply since last year.
However, not everyone is able to have a pet, because of allergies for example. This is why Rahatul Ananto, a computer science student at the University of Manitoba, embarked on a study to find out whether animal robots can help reduce loneliness for single people
.
With COVID-19, people are even more alone and this loneliness does not only affect a segment of the population, such as the elderly
, he notes.
Live with a robot for eight weeks
For about eight weeks, several participants will live with an Aibo robot dog. Through a series of questionnaires and interviews, Rahatul Ananto will collect their experience and see how interactions with the little robotic dog will have influenced their mental health.
We have a limited number of bots, but we looked for at least four people who are lonely and identify as lonely. These people should not have a mental health problem
, he specifies.
The little robot dog Aibo is in play position.
Photo : Sony
—
These guinea pigs will receive their new companion from next week with which they will be able to interact. Small Aibo robots are able to understand basic English and Japanese words, and can learn certain commands, recognize faces and follow their master, says Rahatul Ananto.
Even though these robots are supposed to replace a real animal, they are capable of doing things that a cat or a dog cannot, like singing or dancing.
Lack of education in North America
Similar studies have already been carried out in Asia, notably in Japan where Aibo was invented.studies that spoke of it and most of them date from2003 and2008. After that, there is nothing related to loneliness “,” text “:” Actually, there is not a lot of research on this topic. I found only 16 studies that talked about it and most date from between 2003 and 2008. After that, there is nothing related to loneliness “}}”>In reality, there isn’t a lot of research on this topic. I found only 16 studies that talked about it and most date from 2003 to 2008. After that, there is nothing related to loneliness, adds the student.
The Aibo robots will be sent to people’s homes for about eight weeks.
Photo: Rahatul Ananto
—
Worse, according to his research, no similar study has been done in North America. In North America, there was no similar job to what I currently do, long term jobs. So I think it’s a very noble thing that I’m doing.
In addition, the pandemic has heightened the interest of researchers in social robots, that is to say robots with which humans interact. There are several researchers working to gain insight into social robots and how these help people cope with loneliness, stress, or feeling good during lockdowns.
, develops Rahatul Ananto.
He hopes to complete the first part of his study by December and plans to continue it next year with 50 small Aibo robots.
–
