Comparing backstories of a Socially Assistive Robot exercise buddy for adolescent youth

Abstract

We describe a study that compares two types of backstories, fictional and realistic, of an autonomous Socially Assistive Robot (SAR) exercise buddy in a four-session exercise intervention with overweight adolescents aged 11–14. We find a positive participant response to the robot as an exercise buddy and a trend toward increased intrinsic motivation for physical activity post-intervention. We do not find differences in ratings of the two backstories or between pre- and post-intervention measures of physical activity enjoyment and activity level.