[e]Motion: Designing Expressive Movement in Robots and Actuated Tangible User Interfaces

Abstract

As robots inhabit more social spheres, human acceptance significantly impacts their functionality and engagement. The way robotic movement is perceived is crucial to their acceptance in society. However, robotic movement is most often a result of function rather than purposefully designed. Working in the continuum between robotic, tangible, and shape-shifting interfaces will enable a deeper exploration of the effects and interpretation of expressive movement. Hence, we propose [e]Motion, a hands-on opportunity for participants to explore design methods and prototype a variety of expressive movements in robotic and actuated and shape-shifting tangible interfaces. We will collectively reflect on evaluation methods and co-develop a visual vocabulary of motion and emotion, mapping movement more directly to personality and emotion. With this, we aim to foster a practical understanding of expressive movement and how it might affect human acceptance of robots and tangible interfaces.