Evaluation of Embodied Communication in Multi-Robot Systems for Guiding Store

Abstract

This paper presents a multi-robot communication system for guiding customers and providing information about products and deals in a shop. The purpose of the multi-robot communication is to offer a sense of belonging between the robots and a customer. However, even if the robots are collaborating with each other, the robots can be ignored by customers when the robots try to communicate with only their utterance. In the experiment that we conducted in a store, the robots set in front of the store can get the attention and sense of togetherness of the customers by offering to shake hands with them. In this study, we conducted the questionnaire investigation and monitoring to verify the effect of the proposed approach on customer impressions of the guide robots.