Robot-Human Interaction -- How Robot Approach Behaviors Affect Human Perception of a Robot’s Character and Role

When building computational artifacts that are capable of social relationships with human, it is desirable for these artifacts to possess a human form like those of humanoids, bipedal robots and anthropomorphic agents. If these artifacts appear human-like, they can display nonverbal social interaction cues. In particular, physically embodied artifacts such as bipedal robots can use the nonverbal, spatial channels that are studied in the field of proxemics. In the case of human-human communication, behavior that decreases spatial distance is a crucial factor in increasing immediacy, which is strongly related to affection, attachment, and intimacy (e.g. Mehrabian, 1969). Therefore, a robot's spatial approach towards a user may improve the user’s impression of the robot, and may change their expectation of the robot. This study explores how the way a robot approaches a person influences that person’s perception of the robot’s character and their expectations of the robot’s role such as a work partner, an assistant, a pet or a toy.