An Exploration of Robot Builders’ Attachment to Their LEGO Robots

Abstract

This research explored the emotional attachment that students might develop towards robots that they built in a 2-month period, as well as the factors that contributed to their emotions towards the robots. The research studied 16 students enrolled in the robotics class in the fall 2012 semester who completed a specially-designed questionnaire. The results showed that students had strong positive emotions towards their robots. However, the students differed from typical attachment in that they had low avoidance or anxiety related to loss of the robot. In open-ended responses on the questionnaire students indicated that they would feel sad dismantling their robots, but they rationally reported the robots could be rebuilt. Reflective journal data showed that they enjoyed the building process greatly, especially when they solved challenging problems. The data suggested that students’ affection for their robots was not attachment as is typically defined in human-human or human-pet relations. Limitations and further research directions were included.