Embodiment in Socially Interactive Robots (1912.00312v1)

Abstract: Physical embodiment is a required component for robots that are structurally coupled with their real-world environments. However, most socially interactive robots do not need to physically interact with their environments in order to perform their tasks. When and why should embodied robots be used instead of simpler and cheaper virtual agents? This paper reviews the existing work that explores the role of physical embodiment in socially interactive robots. This class consists of robots that are not only capable of engaging in social interaction with humans, but are using primarily their social capabilities to perform their desired functions. Socially interactive robots provide entertainment, information, and/or assistance; this last category is typically encompassed by socially assistive robotics. In all cases, such robots can achieve their primary functions without performing functional physical work. To comprehensively evaluate the existing body of work on embodiment, we first review work from established related fields including psychology, philosophy, and sociology. We then systematically review 65 studies evaluating aspects of embodiment published from 2003 to 2017 in major peer-reviewed robotics publication venues. We examine relevant aspects of the selected studies, focusing on the embodiments compared, tasks evaluated, social roles of robots, and measurements. We introduce three taxonomies for the types of robot embodiment, robot social roles, and human-robot tasks. These taxonomies are used to deconstruct the design and interaction spaces of socially interactive robots and facilitate analysis and discussion of the reviewed studies. We use this newly-defined methodology to critically discuss existing works, revealing topics within embodiment research for social interaction, assistive robotics, and service robotics.

• The paper systematically reviews 65 studies and finds that physical embodiment enhances social robot performance in 63.1% of cases.
• It employs multidisciplinary methods from psychology, sociology, and philosophy to develop a comprehensive taxonomy of robot embodiment and social roles.
• The research provides actionable design guidelines for optimizing embodiment to boost user perception and task effectiveness.

Embodiment in Socially Interactive Robots

This paper, authored by Eric Deng, Bilge Mutlu, and Maja J. Matarić, investigates the role of physical embodiment in the functionality and perception of socially interactive robots. The paper addresses a central question in robotics: when should physically embodied robots be preferred over virtual agents, considering the increased complexity and cost associated with physical embodiment?

Summary of Key Concepts

Socially interactive robots are defined within this research as those that primarily engage in social interactions to fulfill their objectives, such as providing entertainment, information, or assistance, the latter encapsulated by socially assistive robotics. While traditional robotics necessitates embodiment for physical tasks, socially interactive robots accomplish their goals without direct physical interaction, raising the question of the function and necessity of physical embodiment in these instances.

This paper systematically reviews 65 studies published between 2003 and 2017, focusing on experiments comparing robots with and without physical embodiments across varied contexts and tasks, spanning both subordinate and superior social roles. The review is underpinned by a comprehensive taxonomy that delineates robot embodiment types, social roles, and human-robot tasks.

Methodology and Findings

Through a multidisciplinary approach encompassing psychology, sociology, and philosophy, the paper evaluates the embodiment hypothesis in socially interactive robotics, which posits that physical embodiment influences performance and perception in social interactions. The methodology involved deconstructing 65 studies to extract insights on tasks, social roles, and modes of embodiment.

Empirical evidence from these analyses suggests that physical embodiment leads to enhanced performance and improved perceptions in approximately 63.1% of cases. The benefits of physical embodiment are particularly apparent in terms of agent perception, predominantly in performance-related tasks and contexts requiring high social interaction.

Theoretical and Practical Implications

The findings have significant implications for the design of future robotic systems. The paper clearly delineates when physical embodiments contribute positively to task performance and user perception, advising the design of robots for specific applications based on social role and task requirements. Moreover, it highlights the nuanced role of embodiment in shaping human perceptions and invoking social presence.

From a theoretical perspective, the research contributes to the discourse on the embodiment hypothesis, offering robust data supporting the tangible benefits of physical embodiment. Practically, it informs robotic design methodologies, providing a grounded framework for selecting and developing robot embodiments that maximize social acceptance and effectiveness across varying applications.

Future Directions

As technology advances, exploring the impact of increasingly human-like embodiments and high-fidelity social interactions in robots remains a fertile avenue. Future research could focus on long-term effects of embodiment in maintaining engagement and trust, adapting embodiment to individualized user profiles, and refining the understanding of social roles within specific tasks. Additionally, advancements in AI could enable more nuanced interactions, potentially expanding the scenarios where physically embodied robots are favored, overcoming existing limitations regarding cost and complexity.

In conclusion, this scholarly work offers a significant contribution to the robotics field by clarifying the contexts in which physical embodiment in robots is substantively beneficial. It provides a foundational framework for designing socially interactive robots, facilitating the development of robots that are not only functional but also socially competent.