"Display Robot" - Interaction between Humans and Anthropomorphized Objects

Abstract

We propose a "display robot" that directly anthropomorphizes objects using body parts that are like those of humans. It is constructed of devices that look like eyes and arms. It anthropomorphizes objects according to the places they are located at or the situations they are in, and this increases their subjectivity and their virtual body image. The display robot enables users to accept the body images of objects and communicate smoothly with them. We assessed user evaluations of the display robot in an exhibition space and in this paper we discuss the effect of anthropomorphization achieved by these devices.