A body contact-driven pupil response pet-robot for enhancing affinity

Abstract

Dilated pupil response has effects on favorable impression to human. Focusing on the pupil response in human-robot interaction, we have developed a pupil response system using hemisphere displays and confirmed that the pupil response is effective for enhancing affective conveyance in human-robot interaction. In this study, for the basic research of realizing a friendly communication during embodied interaction between human and robot, we analyzed the pupil response during body contact that is closely related to affinity using a pupil measurement device. On the basis of the analysis results, we developed a pupil response pet-robot for enhancing affinity in human-robot interaction. This pet-robot generates the pupil response based on the body contact using small displays in which the 3D CG model of pupil and iris is represented, and can impress cuteness and familiarity. The effectiveness of the developed pet-robot with dilation of the pupil response at 2.0 times during body contact was demonstrated by sensory evaluations.