Botanical Communication Robot Based on Emotional Model Considering External Factors

Abstract

Pets have the power to invigorate communication in communities, such as between families and employees. However, it is not easy to keep animals because of such as allergic reactions and the rules of condominiums and other facilities that prohibit keeping pets. Therefore, this research proposes a botanical communication robot called “ComuRoP: Community-centric Robotized Plants,” which combines plants and a communication robot. ComuRop performs attachment behavior appropriate to the current conditions based on an emotional model regarding external conditions, such as the behavior of community members, and internal conditions, such as soil moisture contents; then, it encourages them to take care. The final goal of this project is to activate communication within the community by using ComuRoP to become a community member. This paper explains the system architecture and reports the experimental result of two weeks. Moreover, the authors discuss the improvement to attract attachment.