Don’t Worry, Sony’s New Robo-Companion Is Here To Watch Over You
The company has just filed a patent for a robot designed to be an ideal gaming companion.
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One trend that has undeniably altered the gaming world in recent times has been the explosion of video games as a social activity. In the past, that could have looked like calling over a sibling to help on a hard final boss, or screen-cheating to win a split-screen multiplayer match. But both improved internet connectivity and widespread interest in livestreaming have transformed collaborative gaming into a primary gaming outlet for many.
However, for every Twitch star sharing sick plays with their dedicated audience is a solitary gamer wishing someone were watching their in-game accomplishments alongside them. At least, that’s what Sony seems to think, as the company has just filed a patent for a robot designed to be an ideal gaming companion.
Sony’s patent describes its hypothetical robot as a “joint viewing player,” which is just the particular sort of phrasing that implies not a passive onlooker but an active participant in a gaming experience, whether or not the robot is actually holding a controller. It cites data that those playing alongside an observer are more motivated, suggesting that, were their robot able to provide that sensation, the player would experience a net benefit.
It’s worth noting too that while a player could feel potentially increased motivation, as well as possible validation due to the presence of an active companion, the benefit for Sony could very likely be these experiences translating into an increase in game sales.
The robot is ultimately designed to engage with players through a technology that deduces their feelings and attempts to empathize with them. For example, if the robot detects upset at an eleventh hour defeat at the hands of a difficult boss, it could express displeasure alongside the user. Likewise, narrowly defeating that boss on the next attempt could very well lead to an expression of excitement, which the robot would ideally detect and share.
Sony filing a patent for such a technology doesn’t necessarily mean that this robot will ultimately see the light of day. Sony isn’t a stranger to robots, however, having previously released multiple generations of AIBO robotic pets, and updating their software as recently as November 2019.
All of that said, a beloved gaming company transitioning from benign robotic pets to empathetic gaming companions is just one small step removed from a sci-fi robo-takeover. While that may be unlikely in practice, Sony’s robot can comfortably be filed into real-world stories that sound like summaries of Black Mirror episodes.
Source: RespawnFirst
Link Source : https://www.thegamer.com/sony-robot-companion-dog-robo-friend-creepy/