I don't think any way you design a security robot would help towards cultivating empathy. Because it serves in a authority role (or quasi-authority roll, depending on how you view security guards), there's an emotional layer of resentment towards it.
I mean, on the one hand, you're right. there will be an emotional layer of resentment. But you're also wrong - you can design the shit out of it to not look like Darth Vader's dildo. Anybody who designs robots knows this. You keep it squarely out of the Uncanny Valley, you make it as small and non-threatening as you can (definitely shorter than adults) and you keep it Light and Bright. Wanna know why you didn't know about Honda's robot program until Asimo? here's P1: Honda knew full well that their approaches to date were fucking nightmare fuel and that there was nothing but bad PR from having them out in the world. They made their big Asimo push as soon as they could get the thing under 5 feet tall, no sooner. Up until then it was occasional still images. It's no surprise that Boston Dynamics didn't start going big until they had military contracts. And as soon as they started getting really creepy, Google decided that they didn't fit their brand. I mean, if you're going to make a scary security robot, make a scary security robot. Don't make a fuckin' intimidating trash can and then be surprised when it's off-putting.
Yeah. I don't know which I'd hate more. On the one hand, a big scary security robot would only add levels of anxiety to how I perceive it, on the other hand, something that's more approachable (and possibly cute), would probably make me not take it seriously. What if Darth Vader's dildo was the happy medium they came up with? I was at ToyRUs the other day killing some time when I ran across that new Anki toy, Cozmo, on display. The thing looks cool as balls and they did a good job making it, because it comes across as cute and energetic and full of personality. I can only imagine one day, running across a three foot tall version of one cutting me off and saying "I'm sorry, this area is for authorized employees only" and wondering whether or not it will taze me. Honda is a very smart company with decades of experience in advertising and public relations under its banner. They knew full well what they were handling when it came to publich perception of their projects. Boston Dynamics? I assume not so much. I remember when they came out with the bipedal robot. All the other ones, they kicked around to show how they can self correct for balance or get back up, and not much anyone said anything. When they did the same demonstrations with the bipedal robot though? There was a bit of backlash on the internet.
There's artistry into crafting human helpers. I mean, one need look no further than Ralph McQuarrie. Here's a pair of friendly robots: Here's a bunch of mean robots: If Darth Vader's dildo is their happy medium, they need to go back to the drawing board. That shit's weak.
If we're putting robots in authority roles, let's at least make them cool and terrifying. oh wait
