Can robots have a GENDER? People assume machines are male but their view is changed if 'feminine' features are added

Humans have already been shown to become'aroused' when touching'intimate' parts of robots and now new research has shown we also assign them with genders. In tests, researchers found participants assumed a robot without any gender cues was male but'feminine' cues on a screen attached to the robot were enough to convince them it was female. Participants also found male robots were more human-like, more animated and less anxious. Humans have already been shown to become'aroused' when touching'intimate' parts of robots and now new research has shown we also assign them with genders. In tests, 'feminine' cues on a screen attached to a robot (stock image) were enough to convince them the machine was female The findings may help robot developers economically customise robots for certain roles and to serve certain populations.