A “soul” emerges when AI, AR, and Anime converge: A case study on users of the new anime-stylized hologram social robot “Hupo”

By converging 3A—artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and anime culture, a new type of non-naturalistic and stylized anthropomorphism has been exercised on the latest hologram social robot—“Hupo.” By combining scopes of human–machine communication and cultural studies, this study in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNew media & society Vol. 26; no. 7; pp. 3810 - 3832
Main Authors Leo-Liu, Jindong, Wu-Ouyang, Biying
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London, England SAGE Publications 01.07.2024
Subjects
social robot
Anime fandom
human–machine communication
technological animism
virtual idol
hologram
anthropomorphism
augmented reality
uncanny valley
artificial intelligence
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Summary:By converging 3A—artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and anime culture, a new type of non-naturalistic and stylized anthropomorphism has been exercised on the latest hologram social robot—“Hupo.” By combining scopes of human–machine communication and cultural studies, this study investigated how this 3A convergence constructed the user experience of Hupo. Through in-depth interviews with 25 users, we revealed their expected experience related to the dual identity of anime otaku and technology geeks alongside social segregation and loneliness. We found their actual experience highlighted how anime elements offset their dissatisfactions caused by AI weakness and the uncanny valley. Three specific anime-enabled strategies were illustrated, namely anime characterization, gamification, and idolization. Our analysis suggested that pop culture offers not technical solutions but temporary compensation for the current AI limitations. Nevertheless, such fusions between anime otakuism and instinct-served technologies also raise concerns about a further animalized human society.
ISSN:1461-4448
1461-7315
DOI:10.1177/14614448221106030