Generalization of rapport-estimation patterns across contexts

Determine whether the rapport-estimation patterns observed in a Japanese drugstore generalize to other countries, languages, cultures, settings, and robot embodiments.

Background

The study evaluates third-party-rated rapport estimation using multimodal recordings collected in a single Japanese drugstore and involving a WoZ-operated Sota social robot. Because the dataset is geographically, linguistically, culturally, environmentally, and embodiment-specific, the authors explicitly identify whether the observed patterns transfer to other deployment contexts as unresolved. Establishing such generalization is important for determining whether the reported findings apply beyond WoZ-mediated HRI in the particular retail setting studied.