A large survey on hugging robots was already conducted in 2020 (HUGGIE Project I). The results were published by Leonie Stocker, Ümmühan Korucu, and Oliver Bendel in the book chapter “In den Armen der Maschine” (“In the arms of the machine”) in the Springer volume “Soziale Roboter” (“Social Robots”) . In the summer of 2022, another project was announced at the School of Business FHNW, called HUGGIE Project II in distinction to the previous project. A team of four was recruited, with Andrea Puljic, Robin Heiz, Furkan Tömen, and Ivan De Paola. The task was to build and test a hugging robot called HUGGIE. In doing so, the results of HUGGIE Project I were to be used as a basis. In particular, it was to be determined whether a robotic hug contributes to well-being and health and whether voice and vibration as a simulation of the heartbeat as well as scent increase the acceptance of the hug by a robot. Thus, indications from the survey in HUGGIE Project I were included. Furthermore, hugs with a giant stuffed animal named Teddy took place for comparison. The results show that people benefit from robotic hugs and that these can increase their well-being and health as a result. There was clear evidence of this in the pretest, and still sufficient evidence in the main test. However, some already have an aversion to robotic hugs in their imagination – as HUGGIE Project I revealed – which in turn some also showed in reality (HUGGIE Project II). Warmth and softness of body and arms are important. This was already proven by the research of Alexis E. Block and Katherine J. Kuchenbecker. Voice, vibration, and scent were found to be less relevant. However, there is significant indication that a female voice can increase acceptance and therefore needs to be further explored and adapted in this context. The findings were summarized in a paper and submitted to an international conference (Photo: Furkan Tömen).
BY OLIVER BENDEL
