Sounds like Sony and the robot want to take this relationship to the next level.

Sony Eyeing Robot Friend for Game Players
Phys.org / April 20, 2020 /Peter Grad, Tech Xplore

They could’ve put “Friend” in quotes, but whatever.

Computer games are often more fun when friends are there to share the experience. A Sony PlayStation team wants to make sure that at times when players don’t have their buddies around in person, they can turn to a robot friend for companionship.

Players will remember it’s just a robot, right?

Sony Interactive Entertainment has filed a patent for a “joint viewing player” that will rejoice in a player’s victories and commiserate when things go poorly. The patent does not specify if the companion will be a physical object or digital avatar. But the specs reveal impressive efforts to make the bond a realistic one.

The robot, or avatar, will utilize a number of sensors to determine the player’s mood and respond accordingly. It might even play games with its human counterparts and make friendly suggestions when a player expresses frustration or appears to be tired.

According to the patent, filed with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, “The inventor has focused on the possibility of utilizing a robot as a joint viewing player who experiences sympathy with a user. It is expected that the user’s affinity with the robot is increased and motivation for playing a game is enhanced by the robot viewing the game play next to the user and being pleased or sad together with the user.”

Sony does remember it’s just a robot, right?

The arsenal of devices monitoring players . . .

. . . Not what you always want in a companion . . .

include microphones, cameras, and biometric and motion sensors. Feedback would be processed to determine emotions such as pleasure, anger and surprise.

The patent refers to a “love index” that will measure a user’s behavior towards the robot.

. . . O-o-o-o-o-hh kay . . . . .

Metrics such as heart rate and perspiration, along with speech recognition, will be assessed to determine a user’s mood. When the robot—also referred to in the patent as a “feeling deduction unit”—receives positive responses, it will more actively support the player, perhaps with helpful tips, advice and words of encouragement. But if the player expresses frustration or rebuffs the robot’s feedback, it will withdraw and restrict further commentary.

The robot will be more than just a game companion. It could provide comforting words when sadness is detected or advise the player when it’s time to go to bed. It can also be a movie companion.

Yup, now you’ve creeped me out.

“Further, regarding not only the game but also a movie, a television program, or the like,” the patent states, “it is expected that the user may enjoy content merely by viewing the content with the robot as compared to the case of viewing it alone.”

We’ll all remember it’s a robot, right?

No matter what supermodel exterior they give it.