Robotic Motion Learning Framework to Promote Social Engagement.

Rachael Burns,Myounghoon Jeon,Chung Park

doi:10.3390/app8020241

Abstract

Imitation is a powerful component of communication between people, and it poses an important implication in improving the quality of interaction in the field of human-robot interaction (HRI). This paper discusses a novel framework designed to improve human-robot interaction through robotic imitation of a participant’s gestures. In our experiment, a humanoid robotic agent socializes with and plays games with a participant. For the experimental group, the robot additionally imitates one of the participant’s novel gestures during a play session. We hypothesize that the robot’s use of imitation will increase the participant’s openness towards engaging with the robot. Experimental results from a user study of 12 subjects show that post-imitation, experimental subjects displayed a more positive emotional state, had higher instances of mood contagion towards the robot, and interpreted the robot to have a higher level of autonomy than their control group counterparts did. These results point to an increased participant interest in engagement fueled by personalized imitation during interaction.

Highlights

IntroductionImitation is a social response ingrained in human behavior, which serves to promote group assimilation and empathy
Theprimitives, researchers observed the rate6.with participants responded positively to viewing new facial expression emoting was compared before and after witnessing the imitation gesture
Of positive control participants, the positive emoting rate was compared before and after the corresponding time facialthe expression emoting wasrate compared before andbefore after witnessing the imitation gesture

Summary

Introduction

Imitation is a social response ingrained in human behavior, which serves to promote group assimilation and empathy. The “Chameleon Effect” refers to the phenomenon where humans unintentionally mimic the behaviors of another person as they interact. The recipient of this imitation passively develops empathy and rapport for the interaction participant [1]. Along with promoting subconscious adaptation to a social group environment, imitation is a prominent tool for conscious neurological development. “Mirroring” refers to the learning method prominent in early childhood development, where specific “mirror neurons” enable young children to develop behavioral, language and motor skills through observation [3]. The benefits of mirroring are two-fold: the child develops crucial functional skills and a sense of belonging by imitating peers in their group

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