1 robot study - rps survey - © 2011 persuadable research corporation. all rights reserved

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Robot Study- RPS Survey -

© 2011 Persuadable Research Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Research Objectives

Understand perceptions about Robots


Methodology

148 online interviews were conducted between January 17, 2012 and January 23, 2012Respondent Qualification

• Adults 18+• National

Stat testing has been done at the 95% confidence level and is indicated by letters next to significantly higher percentages throughout the document.

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What Comes to Mind About Robots


Q4: When you think of robots what comes to mind?Q. 22: What kind of overall impact on society would robots have?

The majority of respondents (70%) derived their images of robots from movies they have seen or books they have read. More than 50% mention robots found in manufacturing . Only one third think about Robots as those made to service. While only 44% feel that Robots would have a positive impact on Society, only 11% feel they may have a negative impact. The rest (45%) were not sure about the impact of Robots .

The majority of respondents (70%) derived their images of robots from movies they have seen or books they have read. More than 50% mention robots found in manufacturing . Only one third think about Robots as those made to service. While only 44% feel that Robots would have a positive impact on Society, only 11% feel they may have a negative impact. The rest (45%) were not sure about the impact of Robots .

Total

AGE GENDERIMPACT ON

SOCIETY

Under 45 45+ Male Female PositiveNot

Sure 148 61 87 51 97 65 67

(A) (B) (C) (D) (L) (M)

Robots from the movies or books.

70% 64% 75% 67% 72% 74% 69%

Robotic cleaning machines (machine like robots to clean like vacuum)

58% 62% 55% 69% 53% 65% 51%

Industrial robotic arms as found in manufacturing.

53% 54% 53% 75% 42% 62% 46%

D

Mobile robots (i.e. space exploration)

47% 52% 44% 55% 43% 55% 45%

Medical robotic arms for surgery.

45% 39% 48% 53% 40% 51% 43%

Service robots (those made to service humans)

35% 46% 28% 43% 31% 43% 31%

B

A significantly higher percentage of men(75%) think of industrial robotic arms as found in manufacturing. A significantly higher percentage (46%) of the under 45 age group thought of service robots. Interestingly, those who think Robots would have positive impact on society, are likely to associate Robots with manufacturing, space exploration and medical field at a higher level.

A significantly higher percentage of men(75%) think of industrial robotic arms as found in manufacturing. A significantly higher percentage (46%) of the under 45 age group thought of service robots. Interestingly, those who think Robots would have positive impact on society, are likely to associate Robots with manufacturing, space exploration and medical field at a higher level.

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What Robots Can/Should Do


Q5: What do you think robots are currently able to do?Q 7: What do you think a robot should be able to do? (Select all that apply)

Outdoor chores and repetitive tasks are some of the areas where there may be opportunity for commercial Robots. Outdoor chores and repetitive tasks are some of the areas where there may be opportunity for commercial Robots.

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Feelings About Robots


Q12: How likely are you to use a robot for the following tasks around your home? Q16: How do you feel about having a domestic robot?

Robots are considered useful for repetitive, household chores types of tasks. Interestingly, respondents would not be as likely to use a robot for tasks that require caring for others, such as caring for the elderly or baby sitting. The majority of respondents (55%) have a positive disposition towards robots and consider having a domestic robot useful.

Robots are considered useful for repetitive, household chores types of tasks. Interestingly, respondents would not be as likely to use a robot for tasks that require caring for others, such as caring for the elderly or baby sitting. The majority of respondents (55%) have a positive disposition towards robots and consider having a domestic robot useful.

Extremely

likelyMoving heavy things 55%Home security monitor 54%Vacuuming floors 53%Reminder of time / place / action 46%Cleaning windows 45%Washing floors 45%Dusting furniture 41%Scrubbing toilets 41%Washing clothes 40%Wiping surfaces clean 38%Dishwashing 37%Watering plants / flowers 37%Doing repair / maintenance work 34%Ironing clothes 31%Reading aloud 24%Acting as butler 19%Watching cat / dog 18%Cooking food 16%Care for or help disabled 12%Care for the elderly 11%Baby sitting 9%

Not useful

Not Probable

Not Frightening

Negative

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Relationship With a Robot


Q 21: If a robot were to assist you with any type of work, which level of intelligence would you prefer?Q18: If you had a robot, would you give it a name?

Respondent’s opinions about how smart, and independent a Robot should be is split. A little more than one third would like Robots to take initiatives and suggest actions, however 30% indicate that they would want a Robot to be programmed for a limited amount of action.

A majority of respondents would name their robot (70%) and prefer that their robot have some degree of artificial intelligence. They would like their robots to learn by doing and engage in problem solving. Among those willing to buy a Robot, 43% prefer their robot be able to take initiative and suggest actions.

Respondent’s opinions about how smart, and independent a Robot should be is split. A little more than one third would like Robots to take initiatives and suggest actions, however 30% indicate that they would want a Robot to be programmed for a limited amount of action.

A majority of respondents would name their robot (70%) and prefer that their robot have some degree of artificial intelligence. They would like their robots to learn by doing and engage in problem solving. Among those willing to buy a Robot, 43% prefer their robot be able to take initiative and suggest actions.

Preferred level of intelligence for assisting Would you name your Robot?

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Interacting With Robots


Q 24: Choose how much you agree or disagree with the following statements about interacting with robots:

When interacting with robots, respondents would enjoy showing them off to family and friends and prefer the robot to make small, common sense decisions. More than half (58%) would be comfortable in a job where they had to use robots. In general, respondents appeared to be pretty comfortable interacting with Robots.

When interacting with robots, respondents would enjoy showing them off to family and friends and prefer the robot to make small, common sense decisions. More than half (58%) would be comfortable in a job where they had to use robots. In general, respondents appeared to be pretty comfortable interacting with Robots.

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A Robot’s Social Influence


Q 25: Choose how much you agree or disagree with the following statements about robots' social influence:

Many (58%) expect robots to become commonplace in society, but a large majority (73%) are concerned with becoming too dependent on a robot, resulting in laziness. There is also a concern (61%) that something bad might happen if robots developed into living beings. This is not surprising, given the majority of respondents base their images of robots on movies and books.

Men and those under the age of 45 are more positive about the social influence of Robots. A significantly higher proportion agree that there will be a fewer complications if we had Robots in our day today life.

Men tend to disagree that Robots would have bad influence on our children.

Many (58%) expect robots to become commonplace in society, but a large majority (73%) are concerned with becoming too dependent on a robot, resulting in laziness. There is also a concern (61%) that something bad might happen if robots developed into living beings. This is not surprising, given the majority of respondents base their images of robots on movies and books.

Men and those under the age of 45 are more positive about the social influence of Robots. A significantly higher proportion agree that there will be a fewer complications if we had Robots in our day today life.

Men tend to disagree that Robots would have bad influence on our children.

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Emotional Reactions To Robots


Q 26 What is your emotional reaction to robots? Choose how much you agree or disagree with the following statements.

Disagree a

lotDisagree

somewhatNeither agree nor

disagreeAgree

somewhatAgree a

lotI would feel relaxed talking to robots.

12% 9% 29% 26% 23%

If robots had emotions, I would be able to make friends with them.

20% 13% 30% 21% 16%

I feel comfortable being with robots that have emotions.

20% 20% 25% 20% 16%

I feel comfortable being with robots.

7% 7% 34% 32% 20%

Around 40-50% of respondents indicate being comfortable dealing with the emotional aspect of Robots.Around 40-50% of respondents indicate being comfortable dealing with the emotional aspect of Robots.

10© 2011 Persuadable Research Corporation. All rights reserved.

Q 11: When do you think robots will reach each of the following milestones?

Within the next 10 years, it is expected that robots will be able to problem solve at a third grade level, but is not expected to go to superhuman levels in the near future. Within the next 10 years, it is expected that robots will be able to problem solve at a third grade level, but is not expected to go to superhuman levels in the near future.

Expected Performance Milestones

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Willingness to Buy


Q 14: How much would you be willing to pay for a robot to do the kind of household tasks we've been describing? (Includes lifetime warranty)Q 15: Would you be willing to get a loan from a bank in order to purchase a robot?

Women and respondents aged 45+ would most likely NOT be willing to buy a robot .

The majority (59%) would not be willing to get a loan from a bank to purchase a robot.

Women and respondents aged 45+ would most likely NOT be willing to buy a robot .

The majority (59%) would not be willing to get a loan from a bank to purchase a robot.

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Robot’s Voice Preference


Q17: If the robot were to speak, what would you prefer the robot's voice to sound like? (Using the scale shown below, indicate the choice that is closest to the one you prefer in each row)

Most prefer their robot to have a humanlike voice , sounding neither young or old, nor masculine or feminine.Most prefer their robot to have a humanlike voice , sounding neither young or old, nor masculine or feminine.

Synthesized voice

Old Person’s Voice

Feminine voice

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A Robot’s Appearance


Table 19: How appealing would the following appearances of a robot be to you? (Using the scale shown below, indicate the choice that is closest to the one you prefer in each row)

Most prefer for their robot to have a more human like appearance with a personal design. They also prefer a more humorous, colorful square shape.Most prefer for their robot to have a more human like appearance with a personal design. They also prefer a more humorous, colorful square shape.

Machine Like

Serious

Metallic

Square Shaped

Personal Design

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Trust and Acceptance


Q27: The following questions deal with your thoughts about privacy, trust and acceptance.

More than half of respondents would feel comfortable with a robot in their home and would not consider them an invasion to their privacy. They would be used for protection, service and even companionship.

Interestingly, significantly higher proportion of Men seem to be more trusting and accepting of Robots.

More than half of respondents would feel comfortable with a robot in their home and would not consider them an invasion to their privacy. They would be used for protection, service and even companionship.

Interestingly, significantly higher proportion of Men seem to be more trusting and accepting of Robots.

1 robot study - rps survey - © 2011 persuadable research corporation. all rights reserved

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