Change of personal space induced by operation of android robot synchronized with operator

Abstract

Personal space is the area surrounding individuals into which intrusion by others causes discomfort and strangeness. We found that when other people approach a highly human-like android robot which is operated in synchronization with human motion, the operator sometimes feels as if he/she is approached. Based on this observation, we hypothesized that the personal space of the operator could also be formed around the android by the operation due to the synchronization. To verify this hypothesis, we conducted experiments in which an experimenter approached the android to the intimate distance after participant became familiar with the synchronized operation. By analyzing the subjective reporting and the skin conductance response (SCR), the change of participant's personal space was evaluated. As a result, the participants reported the experience of embarrassed and strangeness, and the increase of the SCR was observed with the approach to the android by the experimenter. These results suggest that the personal space of the participant was formed around the android by the synchronized operation.