The Effects of Eye Contact when Bonding with a Robot
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2023-01-27
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en
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Abstract
Eye contact has been shown to be of significant influence on how we bond with
pets. However, it was not known whether only eye contact would significantly
contribute to the bonding experience with robots. This research aims to show
that eye contact has a significant effect on how we bond with our robot pet.
This was done by letting 23 participants interact with a robot which exerted
three different kinds of eye contact for two minutes each. After participants had
experienced all three kinds of eye contact, a questionnaire was presented asking
them about their experience with the robot. The only difference between the
three robots was whether the robot was actively trying to make eye contact,
actively trying to prevent eye contact or not attempting to make eye contact.
The only social feature that the robot had was the ability to make or not make
eye contact. In addition, the robot was built to specifically not resemble any
living being as to not bias the participant. The results show a significant effect
on bonding with a robot for the robot that makes eye contact. However, the
extent of this effect cannot be quantified because the scale used in the questionnaire
is unclear and would require further research.
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen