A human-robot system in which a mobile robot follows the movement of the laser spot projected on the floor by the laser pointer attached at the human head is considered. Human gives instruction of desired movement to the omni-directional mobile robot by rotating his or her head. The mobile robot can realize intended movement by following the movement of the laser spot on the floor. By projecting an instructive point to be followed by the mobile robot, the user can clearly recognize the relation between the direction being faced and the desired position of the mobile robot. In addition, the user can convey a motion trajectory to the mobile robot continuously. Kansei transfer function is introduced between the instruction movement of the laser spot and following motion of the robot to realize psychologically acceptable motion of the robot. In addition, three modes, stopping mode, following mode, and autonomous motion mode to the target, are considered. The effectiveness of the proposed system was discussed experimentally, and confirmed by the smooth trajectory of the following motion of the mobile robot and good psychological evaluations.

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This study focuses on automobile interior lighting, and examines the relationship between the interior illuminance, exterior lighting environment, light source form, and impression evaluations. The results of experiment indicate that impressions of the interior lighting vary according to the interior illuminance, exterior lighting environment, and the light source form. These results also clarify the relationships between each condition and the impression evaluations.

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The effects of tone curve and display size on Kansei evaluation of High Dynamic Range (HDR) images were investigated with Japanese and Chinese observers. Forty HDR images (5 tone curves x 4 sizes x 2 contents) were evaluated for Kansei impression using a semantic differential (SD) method with 16 Japanese and 16 Chinese observers with normal color vision. For each adjective, the evaluation value was plotted against the average lightness of the tone curve, and the resulting curves were divided into five types: monotonic increase (MI), monotonic decrease (MD), peak in the upper portion (PU), peak in the lower portion (PL), and flat (F). The results revealed size dependency in evaluations of “Easy to view” and “Difficult to view”, which are PU and PL type adjectives, respectively. Size dependency was less prominent in the evaluations of adjectives categorized as MI, MD, and F types, suggesting that the influence of size is related to the effects of the tone curve. A factor analysis examining the evaluation data for both groups of observers extracted three factors for Japanese and two factors for Chinese observers. These results suggest that Kansei evaluation is more multilateral in Japanese observers than in Chinese observers.

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This kansei study explored how familiarity with image-word combinations influences affective states. Stimuli were obtained from Japanese print advertisements (ads), and consisted of images (e.g., natural-scene backgrounds) and their corresponding headlines (advertising copy). Initially, a group of subjects evaluated their level of familiarity with images and headlines independently, and stimuli were filtered based on the results. In the main experiment, a different group of subjects rated their pleasure and arousal to, and familiarity with, image-headline combinations. The Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) scale was used to evaluate pleasure and arousal, and a bipolar scale was used to evaluate familiarity. The results showed a high correlation between familiarity and pleasure, but low correlation between familiarity and arousal. The characteristics of the stimuli, and their effect on the variables of pleasure, arousal and familiarity, were explored through ANOVA. It is suggested that, in the case of natural-scene ads, familiarity with image-headline combinations may increase the pleasure response to the ads, and that certain components in the images (e.g., water) may increase arousal levels.

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The present study explores the effects of familiarity on affective responses (pleasure and arousal) to Japanese ad elements, based on the schema incongruity theory. Print ads showing natural scenes (landscapes) were used to create the stimuli (images and words). An empirical study was conducted to measure subjects' affective responses to image-word combinations that varied in terms of incongruity. The level of incongruity was based on familiarity levels, and was statistically determined by a variable called ‘pairing-congruity status’. The tested hypothesis proposed that even highly familiar image-word combinations, when combined incongruously, would elicit strong affective responses. Subjects assessed the stimuli using bipolar scales. The study was effective in tracing interactions between familiarity, pleasure and arousal, although the incongruous image-word combinations did not elicit the predicted strong effects on pleasure and arousal. The results suggest a need for further research incorporating kansei (i.e., creativity) into the process of stimuli selection.

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