The ConnectR From Mission Failed to Mission Accomplished: A Social Study of Why the ConnectR was Discontinued.
Keywords:
iRobot, ConnectR, family, Virtual visiting robots,Abstract
iRobot is a renowned company that designs some of the most successful commercial robots. One example, the Roomba, has entered and changed the dynamics of many traditional families. However, not all of their robots are successful including the ConnectR. The ConnectR was designed as a virtual visiting robot that connected estranged family members. However, the lack of social knowledge considered in the design led to its demise. Through previous research, it is hypothesized that the ConnectR failed due to challenges in aesthetics, environment, and privacy concerns. The design of the robot did not consider how people would interact with it, leaving the consumer unsatisfied. If the challenges presented are fixed the ConnectR could be a viable robot with societal implications.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
