Perceptions of a Help-Requesting Robot - Effects of Eye-Expressions, Colored Lights and Politeness of Speech

Abstract

In this paper we report results from a web- and video-based study on the perception of a request for help from a robot head. Colored lights, eye-expressions and politeness of speech were varied. We measured effects on expression identification, hedonic user experience, perceived politeness, and help intention. Additionally, sociodemographic data, a 'face blindness' questionnaire, and negative attitudes towards robots were collected to control for possible influences on the dependent variables. A total of n=139 participants were included in the analysis. Significant differences were found for the identification performance for our intended eye-expressions, for perceived politeness, help intentions and hedonic user experience. Especially for the negative attitudes towards robots, we found significant relationships with perceived politeness and help intentions.