Why Emotion-Capable Robots

Recent advances in emotion modeling and continuous progress in robot design pose an intriguing question: can emotion-capable robots be constructed? This paper aims to compose an emotion model as a first step in this endeavor. Concrete concepts from existing advanced emotion models have been built upon to develop a new comprehensive computational model of emotions. This model bridges the gap between physical sensations and emotions to allow robots to develop a dynamic emotion system. It organizes emotions not just as opposites, but also as reverses of each other, critical for managing resources. The model further categorizes complex emotions based on evolutionary pressures into energybased, object-based, social-based, and confrontation-based emotions. Categorization of emotions gives an additional flexibility in designing robots.