Could robots be counselors? Early research shows positive user experience

New research has shown for the first time that a social robot can deliver a'helpful' and'enjoyable' motivational interview (MI) - a counselling technique designed to support behaviour change. Many participants in the University of Plymouth study praised the'non-judgemental' nature of the humanoid NAO robot as it delivered its session - with one even saying they preferred it to a human. Led by the School of Psychology, the study also showed that the robot achieved a fundamental objective of MI as it encouraged participants, who wanted to increase their physical activity, to articulate their goals and dilemmas aloud. MI is a technique that involves the counsellor supporting and encouraging someone to talk about their need for change, and their reasons for wanting to change. The role of the interviewer in MI is mainly to evoke a conversation about change and commitment, and the robot was programmed with a set script designed to elicit ideas and conversation on how someone could increase their physical activity.