Using Design Metaphors to Understand User Expectations of Socially Interactive Robot Embodiments

Understand

The physical design of a robot suggests expectations of that robot's functionality for human users and collaborators.

• When those expectations align with the true capabilities of the robot, interaction with the robot is enhanced.
• However, misalignment of those expectations can result in an unsatisfying interaction.
• This paper uses Mechanical Turk to evaluate user expectation through the use of design metaphors as applied to a wide range of robot embodiments.