Towards Designing Companion Robots with the End in Mind

Abstract

This paper presents an early-stage idea of using 'robot death' as an integral component of human-robot interaction design for companion robots. Reviewing previous discussions around the deaths of companion robots in real-life and popular culture contexts, and analyzing the lifelike design of current companion robots in the market, the paper explores the potential advantages of designing companion robots and human-robot interaction with their 'death' in mind.