# Empathy for Robots Will NYC Strangers Give Kacie Kinzer's Tweenbots Directions? By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2009-04-11 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kacie-kinzer-tweenbots References: [laughingsquid](http://laughingsquid.com/kacie-kinzer-finds-out-who-will-help-the-tweenbots/) & [tweenbots](http://www.tweenbots.com/) We already know that New Yorkers (and, to be fair, most metropolitan residents) typically don't talk to or empathize with strangers, but what about [robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-service-robot)? That's what Kacie Kinzer wanted to find out when she set her Tweenbots out into Washington Square Park in New York. The [adorable Tweenbots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cyberpet) were equipped only with a flag that said, "Help," and implored onlookers to point them in the right direction towards their destination. Hidden cameras capture the ambivalence, [random acts of kindness](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/romi-lacatan) and hilarious expressions of empathy all the while. What do you think happened? You'll have to watch the video to find out, but I was pleasantly surprised... ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 52% | Activity: 89% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Robot Interaction:** The Tweenbots experiment highlights the growing trend of exploring human-robot interaction. - **Empathy in Technology:** The willingness of strangers to help the Tweenbots demonstrates the emerging trend of empathy in the design and use of technology. - **Public Engagement:** The Tweenbots project reflects a trend towards encouraging public engagement and participation in interactive experiences. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Robotics:** The success of the Tweenbots experiment suggests opportunities for disruptive innovation in the field of robotics, particularly in designing robots that can elicit empathy from humans. - **Human-computer Interaction:** The interaction between humans and the Tweenbots highlights potential disruptive innovation opportunities in the field of human-computer interaction, such as designing more intuitive and empathetic interfaces. - **Experience Design:** The Tweenbots project showcases the importance of experience design, presenting opportunities for disruptive innovation in creating engaging and emotionally resonant interactive experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI-Based Children Companions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robin-the-robot.md) - [Festive Humanoid Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hmnd-01.md) - [Expressive Lip-Syncing Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emo-robot-1.md) - [Anti-Slop AI Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anthropic-pop-up.md) - [Empathetic Interactive Game Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forhpeus.md) - [AI Emotional Interface Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feelbot.md) - [Interactive Companion Care-Bots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourier-g3.md) - [Socially Adept Gaming Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gaming-robots.md) - [Humanoid Robot Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/great-robot-olympics.md)