Virtue – Mentor
The robot can set a good example and foster virtuous interactions.
In human-robot interaction, robots are increasingly being designed not only as tools that complete tasks, but also as systems that participate in human environments where learning, habits, and social behaviour are continuously shaped. This raises an important question: what kinds of behaviours do robots encourage in the people who interact with them? The idea of the robot as a mentor addresses precisely this point, focusing on how robots can support positive development by setting examples and reinforcing constructive social norms.
In educational or domestic contexts, this might mean encouraging patience during problem-solving, reinforcing respectful communication, or modelling kindness in everyday exchanges. As suggested in the focus group results, robots designed for children's learning environments may, for instance, promote perseverance and considerate behaviour. The underlying idea is not that robots replace human moral guidance, but that they can reinforce it through consistent, embodied interaction that shapes habits over time.
This perspective is reflected in several strands of HRI research. In educational contexts, it has been observed that "the robot would be able to promote kindness" and that it could improve interpersonal dynamics by encouraging friendly communication patterns. Some children also expressed expectations that a teaching robot should avoid harmful behaviours, stating that it should "be nice" and not engage in bullying or threatening actions. At a broader ethical level, it has been argued that robots can support moral development by engaging users in ongoing processes of self-improvement, effectively reinforcing ethical responses through interaction rather than instruction alone.
Together, these perspectives highlight a central design challenge. If robots are to act as mentors, they must be carefully shaped to support positive behavioural development without overstating their moral authority or replacing human relationships. Their influence lies less in formal teaching and more in the subtle reinforcement of everyday interaction patterns, how they speak, respond, and model social norms.
Excerpts from the paper:
About the value "Virtue"
Repetitive interactions with others can in the long run shape our behaviour, and this applies to human-robot interaction as well. This value, suggested by the focus groups participants, addresses both the positive and negative influences a robot can have on its users.
About "Mentor"
Robots have the potential to serve as mentors, setting good examples and fostering virtuous interactions, as pinpointed by the focus groups participants. For example, a robot designed to assist children with their education might encourage patience, perseverance, and kindness.