The Future of Robots

Saunderson found that pepper had better luck at getting people to change their response when acting as a fellow test taker. That could be because participants didn't view the robot as being a legitimate authority figure, or because there's something deeply creepy about a bossy robot. Saunderson: This isn't saying you can't ever put a robot in charge. You just need to be very conscious and cautious with it. And if all else fails, just make it more adorable.