A Framework for Emotions and Dispositions in Man-Companion Interaction - Coverbal Synchrony in Human-Machine Interaction - page 102

emotional inner representation of objects fulfills a function, i.e. to
maintain and improve the functionality of the individual (for example,
as an enhancement). Turtle (2010, p. 5) illustrates this assumption with
the help of a student, who commented that she would love to replace
her “real” boyfriend for a social robot if the robot were nice to her: “I
need the feeling of civility in the house and I don't want to be alone
… If the robot could provide a civil environment, I would be happy
to help produce the illusion that there is somebody really with me.”
A good companion makes a heaven out of hell. German.
2. From the Assistance to the Companion System:
A Qualitative Leap!
Nobody would currently expect a navigation system to be able to
respond to the frustrated undertones we use to respond to the repeated
instruction, “ When possible, make a U-turn ” when traffic on the opposite
side of the highway has come to a standstill. A human passenger would
not be forgiven for saying that because he is aware of the situation
and the fact that it is simply not possible to do a U-turn. Furthermore,
we would expect that navigation system reacts with empathy to the
driver's emotional response caused by the repeated insistence “ When
possible, make a U-turn ”. The continuous and senseless repetition of the
instruction can cause anger in this case. Even more, a lower frustration
tolerance as a personal characteristic can intensify this. A traffic jam can
also create emotionality. Consequently, there are three possibilities: 1.
The emotionality is the result of the interaction between a human and
a companion, 2. The emotionality is the result of an external situation
or 3. The emotionality is the result of both.
What would turn such an inadequate assistance system into a
companion system? It would have to say to the driver, for example:
“ Why are you not turning? ” and when the answer is: “ I can't. There is
a traffic jam ” it would have to respond by saying: “ Okay, let me try to
find another route, stay in this lane. ” Such a companion would, at that
moment, be more communicative and competent than the driver, if
it has information about the traffic jam, and it would be empathetic.
The automotive industry is on its way there. It presented at the CeBIT
2011 the “connected car”, an upgraded electric Smart, which allows the
driver to activate many functions using voice commands. Furthermore,
it makes use of external data sources and services over the Internet.
For example, the driver can order movie tickets. Ford has presented
its embedded Sync system, which, in case of an accident, automatically
generates an emergency call with location information and informs