Page 17 - Designing Sociable Robots

breazeal-79017 brea˙fm February 8, 2002 16:1

xvi Acknowledgments

Lab. Roz Picard provided many useful comments and suggestions for the design of Kismet’s
emotion system and its ability to express its affective state through face and voice. Justine
Cassell’s insights and knowledge of face-to-face communication have had significant impact
on the design of Kismet’s communication skills. Discussions with Anne Foerst and Brian
Knappenberger have helped me to contemplate and appreciate the questions of personhood
and human identity that are raised by this work. I am grateful to Sherry Turkle for being such
a strong supporter of my research over the years. Discussions with Sandy Pentland have
encouraged me to explore new paradigms for socially intelligent robots, beyond creatures
to include intelligent, physically animated spaces and wearable robots. I am indebted to
those who have read numerous drafts of this work including Roz Picard, Justine Cassell,
Cory Kidd, Rod Brooks, and Paul Fitzpatrick. I have tried to incorporate their many useful
comments and suggestions.
I also want to thank Robert Prior at The MIT Press for his enthusiastic support of this
book project. Abigail Mieko Vargus copyedited numerous versions of the book draft and
Mel Goldsipe of The MIT Press was a tremendous help in making this a polished final
1
product. I want to extend my grateful acknowledgement to Peter Menzel and Sam Ogden 2
for graciously allowing me to use their beautiful images of Kismet and other robots. MIT
3
Video Productions did a beautiful job in producing the accompanying CD-ROM using a
significant amount of footage courtesy of The MIT Museum.
Finally, my family and dear friends have encouraged me and supported me through my
personal journey. I would not be who I am today without you in my life. My mother Juliette,
my father Norman, and my brother William have all stood by me through the best of times
and the worst of times. Their unconditional love and support have helped me through some
very difficult times. I do my best to give them reason to be proud. Brian Anthony has
encouraged me when I needed it most. He often reminded me, “Life is a process—enjoy
the process.” There have been so many friends, past and present. I thank you all for sharing
yourselves with me and I am deeply grateful.

1. Images c 2000 Peter Menzel from the book Robo sapiens: Evolution of a New Species by Peter Menzel and
Faith D’Alusio, a Material World Book published by The MIT Press. Fall 2000.
2. Images c Sam Ogden.
3. Designing Sociable Robots CD-ROM c 2002 Massachusetts Institute of Technology.