Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel, lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland in Brugg, introduced this potential field of activity with the purpose to find a proper definition of the new field. Another aim was to assess and evaluate the demand and possibilities for social robot enhancement. With the outcomes of this bachelor thesis a starting point and a foundation for the new field of activity can be established to promote future research and studies in this field.

The procedure was divided into desk research and a quantitative online survey to collect both primary and secondary data. The literature review provides sound information to complement the empirical data gathered with the help of the online survey. The survey gave information about the demand and implementable possibilities for social robot enhancement. It also shows how social robots that are enhanced with the help of wigs, clothes and silicone skin are perceived by the survey participants.

The desk research showed that there are significant differences between each field of enhancement, although the aim of the three fields remains the same, namely an improvement of the object compared to its condition prior the enhancement. Furthermore, ways of classifying social robots with the help of a classification framework have been established. The results of the survey indicated that the survey attendees are aware of social robots, but not familiar with them in terms of direct interactions. It also became evident that the younger generations do not have a positive perception of social robots so far. Additionally, the idea of using silicone skin to enhance a social robot was not supported by the majority of the participants, whereas the social robots Sophia, Pepper and NAO were selected as the best candidates for enhancement. The participants showed a bigger interest in the functionality, practicality, usefulness as well as in the interactional functions of a social robot rather than in its aesthetics.