Realization of Expressive Mobile Robot

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel human symbiosis robot named Expressive Mobile Robot. Through its behavior and movement it successfully realize nonverbal communication to humans. Towards the future aging society human-robot symbiosis is keenly needed. To realize such human-robot symbiosis, familiarity of robot is crucial. The proposed Expressive Mobile Robot produces familiar impression to humans through its behavior, action and motion. It does no real task other than the expression. Based upon consideration of human gestures, a prototype of the Expressive Mobile Robot has been designed and implemented. It is puppy-sized and has 7 DOF with a head, two arms and a body. Utilizing the prototype robot, several psychological experiments are conducted. Experimental results make it clear that there are proper speed pattern, distance to human and poses for familiar impression. The results support the feasibility of the proposed idea and robot.