The psychological impact of robot behaviour on user perception

抄録

This study investigates how humans perceive robot movements, particularly in the context of emotional and social interactions. As robots evolve from mere functional tools into social agents, it becomes essential to understand how their movements and nonverbal expressions shape human perceptions. Previous research has explored factors such as motion speed, smoothness, and direction, revealing that faster movements convey liveliness, whereas slower movements evoke warmth. Studies also indicate that upward and backward movements are associated with positive emotions, while downward and forward movements tend to signal negative emotions. However, a comprehensive analysis encompassing a wider range of movement types and their emotional effects remains limited. To bridge this gap, this study employs subjective evaluations through a Semantic Differential (SD) questionnaire. The findings confirm that specific movements evoke distinct emotional impressions, such as calmness (joy) or sadness. Notably, a novel observation suggests that rightward movements are linked to positive emotions, whereas leftward movements correspond to negative emotions. These insights enhance the development of interactive emotional communication between humans and robots, fostering more natural and intuitive interactions. By deepening our understanding of the connection between movement and emotion, this research advances humanrobot communication across diverse applications.