Children's preference of appearance and parents' attitudes towards assistive robots

Abstract

The paper aims to examine children's preference of visual appearance and parents' attitudes towards assistive robots. Results show that children do prefer visual appearances of robots with round and smooth edges, compact and stocky body and with feminine characteristics. Gender differences have been found in robot sketch preference, as well as in ascribing gender to robots - boys tend to be more gender-typed. The dominant colour preffered for the robot is blue, which is a colour associated with positive emotional states, trust, and stability. Based on the results, the paper provides general suggestions and guidelines for creating a robot that the children would find likable. Parents have shown more positive than negative attitudes towards robots in general, as well as towards robots in the children's therapy. Gender differences have been found in potentially negative aspects of child-robot interaction, with mothers more concerned about negative consequences. Also, differences in educational levels have been found, with parents of higher educational level showing more positive attitudes towards robots.