Robotics in Advertising and Marketing

Editors

  • Mark Yi-Cheon Yim, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Esther Kang, University of Bristol

Description

The rapidly evolving landscape of home robotics presents new opportunities for advertising and marketing. With advances in physical AI making robots more capable of interacting in everyday environments, and demographic shifts creating increased demand for in-home robotics, major technology companies are now commercializing robots for caregiving and other household functions. These robots offer a novel channel for brand engagement, as human-robot interactions can foster emotional connections that position robots as both companions and marketing agents.

This special issue seeks high-quality research examining the intersection of robotics, marketing, and advertising. The journal invites contributions exploring how consumers engage with robotic agents, how these interactions affect brand perception and consumer behavior, and how marketing strategies can effectively leverage robotic technologies. Research employing diverse methodologies and addressing topics ranging from human-robot interaction psychology to ethical and privacy considerations is welcome.

Potential topics

  • Human–Robot Interaction: Psychological effects of perceived vitality, animacy, and agency in brand-representative robots
  • Social and Relational Marketing: Use of social robots to build brand loyalty, foster parasocial relationships, and address consumer isolation through interactive engagement
  • Care Robotics: Roles of interactive robots in home and specialized contexts, including navigation, product recommendation, and customer service
  • Technology Adoption: Factors and mechanisms that influence consumer adoption of robots in domestic settings
  • Experiential and Event Marketing: Effectiveness of robotic installations in creating immersive brand experiences and interactive out-of-home (OOH) advertising
  • Ethical and Privacy Considerations: Issues of consumer trust, data privacy, and the ethical implications of autonomous data collection by robotic agents in advertising and marketing contexts
  • Measurement and Metrics: Development of frameworks for assessing ROI and consumer engagement in human–robot interactive advertising campaigns