Social Robots

Abstract

Social Robotics is an emerging field, with many applications envisioned including in the special education system. This paper presents results of an exploratory study that interviewed six special education teachers on a) whether they can see Social Robots being used within their settings; b) what roles they could envision Social Robots to perform; and c) whether Social Robots could be bullied and conceivably become the bullies. Our exploratory study revealed a) a deep skepticism towards Social Robots being used in the special education setting; b) the roles envisioned for them were mostly mechanical, repetitive tasks with no communication needs; and c) that they were seen as a target for being bullied and becoming bullies with some believing them to be useful in educating about bullying.