Social Robots — AI Ed Wiki

Social robots — robots designed to engage people through social interaction, using human-like cues such as speech, gesture, facial expression, and personality to communicate, teach, assist, or accompany. In education, social robots (humanoids like iCub, Pepper, Reachy, and companion robots) are used for tutoring, storytelling, role-play, language support, and as study companions. Their social presence is the key differentiator from software-based AI agents, enabling relationship-building and emotional engagement.

Social robots are distinct from educational robots used purely for programming practice: they are designed for social interaction rather than just mechanical manipulation. Advances in large language models have dramatically expanded what social robots can say and do, enabling fluent, adaptive conversational tutoring. However, this also introduces risks such as misinformation, overreliance, and privacy violations, motivating knowledge-based design approaches.

How social robots appear in the wiki's research

LLM-powered tutoring: Knowledge-based design research and Teachy Mini develop generative social robots (GSRs) that tutor higher-education students, using knowledge-based design requirements to ensure responsible, effective behaviour.

Storytelling and engagement: RoboBuddy lets teachers create LLM-powered scenario-based storytelling activities, MotiBo uses a human-like robot for interactive digital storytelling to boost motivation, and the iCub study explores co-creative narrative interaction.

Social-emotional learning: REMind uses social robots to rehearse anti-bullying bystander intervention through role-play.

Sign language and inclusion: Pepper sign-language research explores robots communicating in Italian Sign Language to support Deaf users.

Trust and autonomy: Research on trust shows task context shapes trust in social robots more than appearance; a systematic review examines how HRI affects human autonomy and sense of agency.

Social robots connect to Human Robot Interaction, Educational Robotics, Embodied Learning, and engagement. They are increasingly relevant to Social Emotional Learning, inclusive education, and Higher Ed/K 12 tutoring, with design grounded in Agency, Trust, Self Efficacy, and Ethics.