Study on Face Robot for Active Human Interface

Abstract

In order to develop “Active Human Interface (AHI) ” that realizes heart-to-heart communication between intelligent machine and human being, we've been undertaking the investigation of the method for improving the sensitivity or “KANSEI” communication between intelligent machine and human being. This paper deals with the mechanical aspects of “Face Robot” that produces facial expressions in order to express the artificial emotions as similar as human being. As actuators move the face skin of the face robot, we select the flexible microactuator (FMA) driven by air pressure for the sake of moving the control points of the face robot corresponding to Action Unit (AU) s, and we design the aluminium frame of the Face Robot for disposing the FMA and then we make the skull frame onto the aluminium frame. The skin of the face robot made by silicon rubber covers up the skull frame. Then we undertake psychological recognition test by showing the face images of 6 basic facial expressions expressed on the Face Robot, and the results show us that the correct recognition ratio accomplishes 83.3% for 6 basic facial expressions. This high ratio shows the possibility of Face Robot as a “KANSEI” communication medium between intelligent machine and human being.