How Can a Robot Signal Its Incapability to Perform a Certain Task to Humans in an Acceptable Manner?

Lohan, K. S., Deshmukh, A. and Aylett, R. (2014) How Can a Robot Signal Its Incapability to Perform a Certain Task to Humans in an Acceptable Manner? In: 23rd IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (2014 RO-MAN), Edinburgh, UK, 25-29 Aug 2017, pp. 814-819. ISBN 9781479967650 (doi: 10.1109/ROMAN.2014.6926353)

Abstract

In this paper, a robot that is using politeness to overcome its incapability to serve is presented. The mobile robot “Alex” is interacting with human office colleagues in their environment and delivers messages, phone calls, and companionship. The robot's battery capacity is not sufficient to survive a full working day. Thus, the robot needs to recharge during the day. By doing so it is unavailable for tasks that involve movement. The study presented in this paper supports the idea that an incapability of fullfiling an appointed task can be overcome by politeness and showing appropriate behaviour. The results, reveal that, even the simple adjustment of spoken utterances towards a more polite phrasing can change the human's perception of the robot companion. This change in the perception can be made visible by analysing the human's behaviour towards the robot.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Deshmukh, Dr Amol
• Authors: Lohan, K. S., Deshmukh, A., and Aylett, R.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• ISBN: 9781479967650
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 IEEE
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher