You're my only hope: An initial exploration of the effectiveness of robotic platforms in engendering learning about crises and risks. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lachlan, Kenneth A.; Spence, Patric R.; Rainear, Adam; Fishlock, Joshua; Xu, Zhan; Vanco, Bryan
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 65(2016)
• Page Start: 606
• Page End: 611
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Social robotics -- Crisis communication -- Risk communication -- Learning; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2016.05.081
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Abstract: In the face of crises and risks, emergency responders are often faced with challenges in terms of reaching audiences in treacherous locations, or that are unreachable due to infrastructure failure. Social robots offer one solution for delivering information cornering risks under these circumstances. An exploratory study examined the responses of individuals to risk messages disseminated through robotic delivery platforms. The results suggest that risk messages delivered through robots may engender equal knowledge acquisition as those delivered through legacy media, though sex differences are noted for high involvement events. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for emergency management.