What gives an inanimate object a personality?
For scientists and engineers in the new social robots field, finding out what gives a robot the appearance of emotion or personality is essential. In the case of these little LEGO walking bots, it is mostly a matter of the way they move. The particular motions and speed create a pattern of movement that we interpret as a personality. It is in our interpretations of these movements where the personality really lives. In talking about them I was surprised how different members of our exhibits team disagree about the personalities of each of these bots. When I designed them, I had no thought on their personalities, but now I mostly see them as having animal characteristics. Others seem them simply as cute, while others find them menacing.
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If you were to assign personality traits to these three walkbots, what would they be?
These walkbots were developed while testing LEGO robotics kits with our visitors for our upcoming exhibit, Social Robots. This exhibit will explore the emergence of a new generation of robots, focusing on the interaction of robots and people.
About The Tech Museum of Innovation
The Tech Museum of Innovation is a hands-on technology and science museum for people of all ages and backgrounds. The Tech—located in the Capital of Silicon Valley —is a non-profit, experiential learning resource established to engage people in exploring and experiencing applied technologies affecting their lives. Through programs such as The Tech Challenge presented by Cisco, our annual team-design competition for youth, and internationally renowned programs such as The Tech Awards presented by Applied Materials, The Tech endeavors to inspire the innovator in everyone.
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