The Cuddlebot by Anna Flagg Creates an Emotional Connection with Users
Meghan Young — February 11, 2013 — Tech
There are robots made to look disturbingly human, but there is yet to be a robot that looks like a real animal; the Cuddlebot by Anna Flagg, an artist and a computer scientist, may not be there yet, but it is closer than any other recent attempts. That is because this creation has a fur coat that is comforting to touch, just like petting a dog or cat is.
Originally conceived in 2008 as the Haptic Creature, Cuddlebot by Anna Flagg is an improved prototype that looks suspiciously like the fluffy creature Tribble from Star Trek. A ball of fur, it responds to various kinds of touch commands to purr and vibrate. It was created in the Sensory Perception and Interaction Research Group (SPIN) lab ant the University of British Columbia.
Originally conceived in 2008 as the Haptic Creature, Cuddlebot by Anna Flagg is an improved prototype that looks suspiciously like the fluffy creature Tribble from Star Trek. A ball of fur, it responds to various kinds of touch commands to purr and vibrate. It was created in the Sensory Perception and Interaction Research Group (SPIN) lab ant the University of British Columbia.
Trend Themes
1. Furry Robotic Companions - The Cuddlebot by Anna Flagg opens up possibilities for creating more lifelike robots that can provide emotional connections with users.
2. Tactile Feedback in Robotics - The Haptic Creature and Cuddlebot by Anna Flagg demonstrate the potential for robotics to incorporate more sensory feedback into their designs.
3. Animal-inspired Robotics - The Cuddlebot by Anna Flagg is an example of how researchers can draw inspiration from nature to create robotic creations that can connect with users in a new way.
Industry Implications
1. Robotics - The development of robots like the Cuddlebot by Anna Flagg presents opportunities for companies in the robotics industry to create new, more advanced robotic companions, and robotic toys that can appeal to a broader audience.
2. Pet Products - The trend toward animal-inspired robotic companions like the Cuddlebot by Anna Flagg opens up new markets for companies to create innovative and unique pet products.
3. Therapeutic Services - The adoption of robotic companions like the Cuddlebot by Anna Flagg presents new opportunities for therapists to utilize robotic pets in therapeutic settings to help people with anxiety and emotional disorders.
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