Playing with iCat

Abstract

In this paper we investigate how children of different age groups (8 and 12 years old) interact with a social robot (iCat) during a collaborative game play. We also analyze how these children subjectively experience a social relationship with the iCat. A simple number guessing game was used as a tool for inducing social interaction. Children either played the game alone or together with the iCat where iCat was the game partner. Results show that 8 year old children rated their subjective gaming experience significantly more positively than 12 years old. Furthermore, children who played the game with iCat reported having more fun than those who played the same game alone.