Sep 30, 2010
— read in fullCan robots have feelings?
Scientists from across Europe are about to start work on a project to build robots with personality.
Robots do more work than we realise - they help to build cars and manufacture food as well as treat heart patients. Many engineers believe that as robots play a bigger role in our society they will have to adapt and develop to get on well with humans.
To address this problem, project 'Lirec' (Living with Robots and Interactive Companions) has been launched. With almost seven million pounds of funding, engineers from all over Europe will be working together to produce a robot that is capable of behaving in a 'human' way. This means that they need to be programmed not just to do tasks, but to react to them as well: they will be given 'artificial personalities.'
It sounds like a science fiction film, but those working on the project claim that it is both feasible and necessary. Recently scientists at Queens University in Belfast created a computer programme that could recognise human emotions by judging facial expression and vocal tone. This means that it is possible to create robots that can interact with humans in an emotional way.
In case you're worried that the project could produce another Terminator, Peter McOwen, the project co-ordinator, says they will also be trying to answer a very important question - "what sort of properties does a synthetic companion need to have so that you feel you want to engage in a relationship with it over an extended period of time?" In other words - what makes a robot likeable?
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