TOUCHED BY A ROBOT

Researchers in Germany say the touch of a humanoid robot makes people happier and more likely to follow the robot’s requests. (* “Requests” – ha! That’s a good one.) Researchers are hoping that one day robots may be able to fulfill the roles of therapists, personal trainers, and even life coaches. They conducted a study involving eight students engaged in a counseling conversation with a humanoid robot. During the course of the conversation, for some participants, the robot briefly and seemingly spontaneously patted the back of the participant’s hand. Results show those who were touched were more likely to go along with the robot urging them to show interest in a particular academic course discussed during the conversation. Participants reported a better emotional state after the robot’s pat on the hand. The findings were published in the journal PLOS One.
* So now they’re programming the robots to touch us. I see no harm in that.
* A robot starts coming my way to pat me on the head, I’m getting the hell out of there.
* Next year, they’ll have a Roomba that comes up and humps your leg.
* You high school kids thinking about a career as a therapist, personal trainer, or life coaches? You might want to consider welding or auto body repair.