An investigation into the encounter between social robots and animals

Abstract

Increasingly, social robots and certain service robots encounter, whether this is planned or not, domestic, farm, or wild animals. They react differently, some interested, some disinterested, some lethargic, some panicked. Research needs to turn more to animalrobot relationships, and to work with engineers to design these relationships in ways that promote animal welfare and reduce animal suffering. This chapter is about social robots that are designed for animals, but also those that-for different, rather unpredictable reasons-meet, interact, and communicate with animals. It also considers animal-friendly machines that have emerged in the context of machine ethics. In the discussion section, the author explores the question of which of the presented robots are to be understood as social robots and what their differences are in their purpose and in their relationship to animals. In addition, social and ethical aspects are addressed.