Jibo, a new MIT social robot, is using positive psychology to offer emotional support.
Breazeal's work investigates how companion robots may one day become more than just transactional assistants who carry out requests for the current weather, complete to-do lists, or manage lighting. The PRG team at the MIT Media Lab developed Jibo to be a wise mentor and a friend who will hopefully improve social robotics technologies.
Thanks to her work, Jibo can use positive psychology to coach people in need of emotional support. In one study, the robot was found to modify its approaches to patients based on their replies. Jibo showed the capacity to combine both verbal and non-verbal cues, such as long pauses and self-hugs, to determine what participants were really feeling.
The robot's techniques may even work to help prevent depression and suicide. Jibo is trained to handle people of all ages and genders. “I would like to see Jibo become a companion for the whole household,” said Alghowinem.In her next project, Alghowinem hopes to provide Syrian refugee children with better opportunities as well as emotional support.
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