Evaluation of Function Explaining from Artifacts using a Direct Anthropomorphization Method

Abstract

We propose a direct anthropomorphization method that agentize an artifact by attaching anthropomorphic parts to it. There are many studies to provide information to users using spoken directions and gestures via anthropomorphic agents such as CG agents and communication robots. Our method directly anthropomorphize the artifact through robotic bodily parts shaped like those of humans. The anthropomorphized artifact using these parts provides information to people by giving them spoken directions and expressing themselves through body language. Using these devices, people are able to accept more attentions to the artifact, than using anthropomorphic CG or robot agents. We conduct an experiment to verify a difference between explanation of fuctions of the artifact using direct anthropomorphization method and explanation of them using independent humanoid-agent "Robovie". The results of participants' questionnaires and gazes during the experiment indicate that they noticed to the target artifact and memorized functions using direct anthropomorphization method more than using independent humanoid-agent.