360 Robot Hand System for Omni-directional Interaction by Multiple Users

Abstract

The rise of diverse digital environments like digital twins and the metaverse emphasizes the importance of telepresence methods for linking users across different spaces. These methods aim to boost communication and services between these spaces. This paper introduces RHS360, a 360-degree robot hand system designed for inter-spatial communication. RHS360 ensures the robot hand aligns precisely with the user in cyberspace, adjusting based on the user’s movements in the virtual realm. This enables the robot hand not only to aid communication and gestures but also to convey crucial social cues, enhancing the overall communication experience. Additionally, a user survey was conducted, revealing that observing the robot hand’s movements significantly improved understanding their partner’s thoughts and fostered a greater sense of intimacy. These findings suggest that the proposed method enhances communication between different spaces.