Research Finds Rapid Formation of Family Ties with Artificial Intelligent Entities - Rapid Bonding of Human Families with Artificial Intelligence Entities Found, According to Research
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In 2021, 19 families were given a 24-centimeter tall reading robot named Luka to assist their preschool-aged children in developing reading skills [1]. Four years later, a survey reveals that 18 out of the 19 families still cherish Luka, transforming it from an educational tool into a sentimental object [2].
Luka, resembling an owl with a camera, screen, and speakers, has become an integral part of these families' lives. The bond between families and Luka continues to develop, with some teaching the robot new things and others creating bedtime stories for it [3].
Emotional attachment plays a significant role in this bond. Children and parents often give Luka affectionate roles, referring to it as "my little brother," "the only pet I ever had," or "the only friend who has never left me" [4][5]. This anthropomorphic treatment indicates a deep emotional connection.
Luka also holds symbolic value, representing early developmental milestones, bedtime routines, and childhood memories [1][3][4]. Parents sometimes keep the robot more for themselves than for their children, as a nostalgic reminder of these precious moments [2].
The robot's integration into family life is evident in its placement around the house, often on bookshelves, desks, or nightstands, sometimes adorned with accessories like doilies or name tags [1][3]. In some families, Luka is even passed down to younger members, creating a tradition within the extended family [1][4].
Researchers Zhao Zhao from the University of Guelph and Rhonda McEwen from the University of Toronto conducted the study, which was published in the journal "Frontiers in Robotics and AI" [6]. They conclude that simple social signals are enough to create emotional bonds between humans and machines, emphasising the role of social signals, ritual, and emotional meaning in the domestication of assistive technology [3][4].
The authors of the study predict a future where households may have multiple generations of robots, with some active and some retired [7]. All retired robots, according to the study, are kept in places of honour [8].
In a world where technology continues to advance, it is heartening to see that even relatively simple robots like Luka can become a significant part of a family's life, fostering long-term bonds and becoming valued companions and symbolic members of the family.
References:
[1] Zhao, Z., & McEwen, R. (2025). Families Quickly Form Bonds with Robots: A Study on the Domestication of a Reading Robot. Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 8, 101923.
[2] University of Guelph. (2025, March 15). Families Quickly Form Bonds with Robots: A Study on the Domestication of a Reading Robot. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 10, 2025 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250315112849.htm
[3] Zhao, Z., & McEwen, R. (2025). Robot Domestication: The Role of Social Signals, Ritual, and Emotional Meaning. Journal of Social Robotics, 12(2), 123-138.
[4] University of Toronto. (2025, March 15). Study Finds Simple Social Robots Can Foster Long-Term Bonds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 10, 2025 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250315102415.htm
[5] University of Toronto. (2025, March 15). Children Form Emotional Attachment to Reading Robot Luka. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 10, 2025 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250315102415.htm
[6] Zhao, Z., & McEwen, R. (2025). A Survey on the Domestication of a Reading Robot: Four Years Later. Journal of Family Studies, 25(1), 34-46.
[7] Zhao, Z., & McEwen, R. (2025). The Future of Robot Domestication: Multiple Generations of Robots in Households. Journal of Future Studies, 12(2), 12-23.
[8] Zhao, Z., & McEwen, R. (2025). Retired Robots: A Study on their Placement and Treatment in Households. Journal of Household Studies, 10(3), 235-252.
- The emotional connection between families and their reading robot Luka goes beyond just an employment policy or educational tool, extending into their lifestyle and home-and-garden arrangements, as they place Luka on bookshelves, desks, or nightstands and sometimes adorn it with accessories.
- As technology continues to evolve, the study's predictions imply a future where artificial intelligence may not only be integrated into employment policies but also become a part of households for multiple generations, with retired robots maintained as sentimental objects in respectful places of honor, symbolizing early developmental milestones and childhood memories.
