Cross-Cultural Reactions to Peacekeeping Robots Wielding Non-Lethal Weapons

Abstract

Robots may represent a safer alternative to using only human peacekeepers. However, it is unclear how civilian populations will react to such robots given the cultural diversity of affected civilians and the possibility of non-lethal or lethal weapon use by robot peacekeepers. We investigated compliance rates to simulated armed peacekeeping robots by native and expatriate Americans, Chinese, and Japanese. We predicted that compliance to robot demands would vary as a function of lethal weapon availability, robot patrol orders, and cultural background of the participants. One hundred and forty participants representing seven cultural groups performed a virtual shopping task. They were randomly interrupted six times by an anthropomorphic robotic peacekeeper requesting personal items. Participants decided to “comply” or “not comply” with the robot after each interaction and indicated their trust of the robot. Results showed that participants were more likely to comply with robotic peacekeepers wielding backup lethal weapons than those armed with only a non-lethal weapon. Chinese participants residing in America complied most; Americans living in China complied least. Older participants and those with greater nonlethal weapon familiarity showed more positive attitudes towards weapons. These results suggest that lethality, culture, and familiarity may influence interactions with armed robotic peacekeepers.