Loneliness Kills: Can Autonomous Systems and Robotics Assist in Providing Solutions?

Are friends electric? The benefits and risks of human-robot relationships

“…Social experiences are some of the primary drivers for feelings of pleasure, happiness, security, and self-esteem ( Reis et al., 2000 ; Harris and Orth, 2019 ). The experience of social rejection, exclusion, or isolation can be traumatizing and can impact our physical health ( Gulrez et al., 2015 ; Courtin and Knapp, 2017 ; Holt-Lunstad, 2018 ; Slavich, 2020 ); an absence of appropriate social contact, particularly early in life, can have long-lasting and damaging impacts ( Bowlby, 1969 ). Nevertheless, our urge for sociality is not straightforward compared with other needs.…”

“…To the extent that robots can act as companions, they could plausibly act to reduce social isolation and the experience of loneliness ( Gulrez et al., 2015 ). A study of the use of the Sony Aibo robot dog in a residential care home found a positive impact on the experience of loneliness similar to that generated by interaction with a real dog ( Banks et al., 2008 ).…”

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“…Ageing population is a world-wide rapidly growing phenomena [1,2]. Increased longevity is often associated with susceptibility to diseases which lead to cognitive or physical decline of human body.…”