TY - GEN
T1 - Utilitarian vs. hedonic robots
T2 - 6th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction, HRI 2011
AU - Lee, Namseok
AU - Shin, Hochul
AU - Shyam Sundar, S.
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - This study examines the differential effects of hedonic vs. utilitarian robots, using a between-subjects experimental design, whereby 48 college students in Korea were randomly assigned to interact with either a Pleo (Dinosaur robot) or a Roomba (vacuum-cleaning robot). Results revealed that hedonic robot (HR) users perceived more enjoyment than utilitarian robot (UR) users, whereas UR users perceived more usefulness and ease-ofuse than HR users. Users with high tendency for parasocial interaction (PSI) and high anthropomorphism had more positive attitudes towards robots than their counterparts with low levels of these traits. HR users with high anthropomorphism and PSI had the most positive attitudes than all other combinations of variables. These results indicate that individual differences play a significant moderating role on user attitudes toward hedonic and utilitarian robots. The results of this study suggest that robot developers and marketers should take seriously the labeling of robots as hedonic or utilitarian, and also consider users' individual differences in order to maximize benefits of human-robot interactions.
AB - This study examines the differential effects of hedonic vs. utilitarian robots, using a between-subjects experimental design, whereby 48 college students in Korea were randomly assigned to interact with either a Pleo (Dinosaur robot) or a Roomba (vacuum-cleaning robot). Results revealed that hedonic robot (HR) users perceived more enjoyment than utilitarian robot (UR) users, whereas UR users perceived more usefulness and ease-ofuse than HR users. Users with high tendency for parasocial interaction (PSI) and high anthropomorphism had more positive attitudes towards robots than their counterparts with low levels of these traits. HR users with high anthropomorphism and PSI had the most positive attitudes than all other combinations of variables. These results indicate that individual differences play a significant moderating role on user attitudes toward hedonic and utilitarian robots. The results of this study suggest that robot developers and marketers should take seriously the labeling of robots as hedonic or utilitarian, and also consider users' individual differences in order to maximize benefits of human-robot interactions.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79953131812&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79953131812&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1145/1957656.1957722
DO - 10.1145/1957656.1957722
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:79953131812
SN - 9781450305617
T3 - HRI 2011 - Proceedings of the 6th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction
SP - 183
EP - 184
BT - HRI 2011 - Proceedings of the 6th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction
Y2 - 6 March 2011 through 9 March 2011
ER -