Study: Robots can Inspire Humans to Take Risks Written by AZoRoboticsDec 14 2020 A new study demonstrates that robots can motivate humans to take bigger risks in a simulated gambling scenario than they would if there was nothing to impact their actions. A SoftBank Robotics Pepper robot was used in the two robot conditions. Image Credit: University of Southampton. Improving the understanding of whether robots can influence risk-taking could have distinct practical, ethical and policy implications, which this study aimed to explore. We know that peer pressure can lead to higher risk-taking behaviour. With the ever-increasing scale of interaction between humans and technology, both online and physically, it is crucial that we understand more about whether machines can have a similar impact.