Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder show deficits in communication and social interaction, as well as repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Interacting with robots could bring benefits to this population, notably by fostering communication and social interaction. Studies even suggest that people with Autism Spectrum Disorder could interact more easily with a robot partner rather than a human partner. We will be looking at the benefits of robots and the reasons put forward to explain these results. The interest regarding robots would mainly be due to three of their characteristics: they can act as motivational tools, and they are simplified agents whose behavior is more predictable than that of a human. Nevertheless, there are still many challenges to be met in specifying the optimum conditions for using robots with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Published: 12 February 2024, PDF available, 43 pages
(Although, to be possibly pedantic, they can judge you, or be unpredictable, if they are programmed that way. Still, I usually prefer to go through the self-checkout at the grocery store.)
Would not mind self-checkout if they accepted cash. Although a cashier is not a big deal either, not like they talk with you aside from “do you have a discount card?” or “do you need a bag?”
I support automation of the service industry, but I worry about the future of everyone when everyone is constantly going about their day with no real interaction.
The reason I support self checkout is because a small number of employees can oversee a large number of machines. It’s bad for people who are going to end up with extreme social anxiety because they were allowed to go for long periods of time without real interaction.
Not having any social interaction would be likely to make it a lot harder.
As much as I think automation is progress, a future where people can go get stuff with no human interaction at all will likely end badly for the people who are already on the edge.
WFH is good for a lot of people and has practical advantages, but it will likely be incredibly bad for people who are already struggling.
Robots are predictable
Robots don’t judge you.
(Although, to be possibly pedantic, they can judge you, or be unpredictable, if they are programmed that way. Still, I usually prefer to go through the self-checkout at the grocery store.)
Would not mind self-checkout if they accepted cash. Although a cashier is not a big deal either, not like they talk with you aside from “do you have a discount card?” or “do you need a bag?”
Same for the self checkout.
Oh definitely, some are designed horribly.
I support automation of the service industry, but I worry about the future of everyone when everyone is constantly going about their day with no real interaction.
The reason I support self checkout is because a small number of employees can oversee a large number of machines. It’s bad for people who are going to end up with extreme social anxiety because they were allowed to go for long periods of time without real interaction.
Is forced social interaction the answer to this though?
Not having any social interaction would be likely to make it a lot harder.
As much as I think automation is progress, a future where people can go get stuff with no human interaction at all will likely end badly for the people who are already on the edge.
WFH is good for a lot of people and has practical advantages, but it will likely be incredibly bad for people who are already struggling.