Robots with Manners
Polite Robots for Better Human Interaction The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA is teaching robots manners. They've created a machine algorithm that allows robots to intuit how to behave like polite human beings in specific circumstances. For example, the robots say thank you when someone opens a door for them. And, they intuit to turn off a cellphone disturbing the peace in a library. DARPA has long been at the forefront of robotic innovation. This extraordinary research program is instilling civility, social norms and manners in robots to promote better human-robot interactions. In some cases, their behavior may be a lot better than that of some human beings. "Please and Thank You" with Important Purpose DARPA envisions a future in which robots play increasingly important and integral roles with humans. Researchers believe that in order to capitalize on a robotic future of driverless cars, restaurant robots and