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Animation Techniques in Human-Robot Interaction User Studies

Trenton Schulz, Jim Tørresen, Jo Herstad

ACM Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction · 2019 · 50 citations · 78 references

Open access

TL;DR

Human‑robot interaction can employ many movement styles, including film‑animation techniques that guide robot motion, and studies indicate further research opportunities such as applying these principles to other robot types, combining modalities, and long‑term evaluation. This systematic literature review examines human‑robot trials, pilots, and evaluations that apply animation techniques to robot motion. The authors systematically reviewed 27 articles describing trials, pilots, and evaluations where animation techniques were used to move robots. Across 27 studies, animation techniques improve users’ interaction with robots by enhancing perceived qualities, intent understanding, and state or emotion display, and also facilitate relationships with non‑human‑looking robots.

Abstract

There are many different ways a robot can move in Human-Robot Interaction. One way is to use techniques from film animation to instruct the robot to move. This article is a systematic literature review of human-robot trials, pilots, and evaluations that have applied techniques from animation to move a robot. Through 27 articles, we find that animation techniques improves an individual’s interaction with robots, improving the individual’s perception of qualities of a robot, understanding what a robot intends to do, and showing the robot’s state or possible emotion. Animation techniques also help people relate to robots that do not resemble a human or robot. The studies in the articles show further areas for research, such as applying animation principles in other types of robots and situations, combining animation techniques with other modalities, and testing robots moving with animation techniques over the long term.