Relationship building between caregivers and children, using remote childcare support robots.

Abstract

The use of video-call technology to enable families in different physical locations to build and maintain relationships is widespread in modern society. Because of this, it is important to know if this type of communication can appropriately facilitate relationship development. It may be that using different video-call technologies can improve relationship development. In this paper we present the initial results of a study comparing remote online communication between adults and young children using two different tools, video call software and a telepresence robot. Our results suggest a telepresence robot may better facilitate meaningful interaction and relationship building, but more work is needed to confirm this.