ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

With the emergence of advanced social robots, there is a need for a systematic examination of their purpose and various applications. It is also important to understand the cultural elements embedded in them and the effects of these elements on their acceptance in the global market. This study explores the design and human-robot interactions of two social robots, one from South Korea and one from Japan, with contrasting characteristics. Using a phenomenological approach, we analyse Korean users' interactions and experts' evaluations of these social robots and identify key differences: intimate touch vs maintaining a safe distance; function-oriented verbal communication vs non-verbal communication for emotional bonding; static vs dynamic attachment formation; user as a care recipient vs user as an active caregiver; and safety-centred vs self-help-centred caregiving approaches. These findings demonstrate how the design and technological capacities of social robots are related to their intended purpose and can affect user experience, although with limited generalizability. They also provide insights into differences in the eldercare cultures of South Korea and Japan. Based on this case study, we suggest that systematic classifications of social robots should consider their intended purpose, scope of use and relevance to specific caregiving environments. © 2025 IEEE.