Over the years, have you watched the Star Wars movies and been intrigued by the droids (robots)? As I watched these movies, I often wondered when we would get to the point of owning our own versions of R2-D2 and C-3P0.
If this is all a bit of a mystery to you, you really should read on.
Recently I was reading an article about robots. The Sony Corporation has been experimenting in nursery schools to test the emotional bonding that children develop with robots.
The children, aged up to 24 months, started spending one hour every day with QRIO in March last year.
Mr Tanaka remote-controls the robot from a hidden place for some 80% of the immersion sessions, with the humanoid moving on its own for the rest of the time.
Children initially stayed away from the biped but gradually warmed to it, hugging the robot and otherwise showing affection.
Researchers found out that when the robot takes part in the children’s dance sessions, the toddlers stay in the room for twice as long.
Children consider the robot not a toy or a living human being but “something between the two”.
“They are adapting themselves to the robot and empathising with it, although nobody teaches them to do so,” Mr Tanaka added.
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This robot is not just a sophisticated Tamagochi. No, this version has body, head, arms and legs and is the size of a 2 year old. It has the capacity to interact and adapt to a range of situations. It is even being looked at as an alternative for couples who do not want the "inconvenience" of children.
So, where are we heading as a society? Are we to encourage the building of "friendships" between children and mechanized robots?
As I observe many young people (and adults) today we already have enough trouble getting functional relationships to happen as we compete with the computer or TV screen.
If as Christians we truly believe that children (and adults) are created in the image of God, then we will believe that we are created for relationship " relationship with God as Father, Son and Spirit and relationship with one another.
If this is what we believe, then this is what we should be acting upon; creating environments in our ministries and in our homes where relationship is not only encouraged, but built and developed.
Could I encourage you to keep on building true and lasting relationships with the kids in your care. Love them, pray for them, encourage them and build them in the Gospel of Jesus. As Paul said to the Thessalonians " and many will have heard me quote before:
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8
Tony Willis is the Director of Youthworks College and Director of the Training Division of Anglican Youthworks. A former school teacher, Tony has worked in parish ministry as well as being influential in establishing the Fellowship for Evangelising Education network for Christians in Education.
