Culturally Variable Preferences for Robot Design and Use in South Korea, Turkey, and the United States

Based on the results of an online survey conducted with participants in South Korea (N=73), Turkey (N=46), and the United States (N=99), we show that people’s perceptions and preferences regarding acceptable designs and uses for robots are culturally variable on a number of dimensions, including general attitudes towards robots, preferences for robot form, interactivity, intelligence, and sociality. We also explore correlations between these design and use characteristics and factors cited as having an effect on user perceptions and acceptance of robots, such as religious beliefs and media exposure. Our research suggests that culturally variable attitudes and preferences toward robots are not simply reducible to these factors, rather they relate to more specific social dynamics and norms. In conclusion, we discuss potential design and research implications of culturally variable and universally accepted user preferences regarding robots. Categories and Subject Descriptors H.1.2 [User/Machine Systems]: Human Factors; H.5.2 [UserCentered Design]; I.2.9 [Robotics]: Commercial robots and applications; K.4: Computers and Society General Terms Design, Human Factors