Are specialist robots better than generalist robots?

When a robot is said to be a specialist in a particular domain, does it alter the nature and quality of human-robot interaction? This study examines the effects of specialization in robot functions, along with individual difference in immersive tendencies, on users' trust, perception, activity,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:2011 6th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) pp. 241 - 242
Main Authors: Sah, Y. J., Bomee Yoo, Sundar, S. S.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Published: IEEE 01.03.2011
Subjects:
Atmospheric measurements
Educational institutions
Human-robot interaction
Humanoid robots
Humans
Media
Media equation
Particle measurements
Specialization
ISBN:1467343935, 9781467343930
ISSN:2167-2121
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:When a robot is said to be a specialist in a particular domain, does it alter the nature and quality of human-robot interaction? This study examines the effects of specialization in robot functions, along with individual difference in immersive tendencies, on users' trust, perception, activity, and memory. In a controlled experiment, 38 participants were taught a physical exercise lesson from either a specialist or generalist humanoid robot for 6 min. Results showed that specialization had effects on the participants' affective trust; and immersive tendency predicted active participation in the interaction and led to better memory. The latter also moderated the effect of the former-users with higher immersive tendency are more likely to make human attributions of specialization, and rate a specialist robot as more intelligent than a generalist robot. These results have theoretical implications for media-equation as well as design implications for human-robot interaction professionals.
ISBN:1467343935
9781467343930
ISSN:2167-2121
DOI:10.1145/1957656.1957751