Investigating the influence of culture on proxemic behaviors for humanoid robots

Abstract

In social robotics, the behavior of humanoid robots is intended to be designed in a way that they behave in a human-like manner and serve as natural interaction partners for human users. Several aspects of human behavior such as speech, gestures, eye-gaze as well as the personal and social background of the user need therefore to be considered. In this paper, we investigate interpersonal distance as a behavioral aspect that varies with the cultural background of the user. We present two studies that explore whether users of different cultures (Arabs and Germans) expect robots to behave similar to their own cultural background. The results of the first study reveal that Arabs and Germans have different expectations on the interpersonal distance between themselves and robots in a static setting. In the second study, we use the results of the first study to investigate the users' reactions on robots using the observed interpersonal distances themselves. Although the data of this dynamic setting is not conclusive, it suggests that users prefer robots that show behavior that has been observed for their own cultural background before.

Jogging with a Quadcopter

“…This draws on the notion of proxemics, the interpersonal distance between people [15], but has also been shown to apply between people and robots [11]. Our study demonstrated that if the quadcopter gets too close to the jogger, it immediately shifts any focus, even if it is just from a safety perspective.…”

Paving the way for culturally competent robots: A position paper

“…A number of studies support the hypothesis that people from different cultures not only (i) have different preferences concerning how the robot should be and behave [6], but also (ii) tend to prefer robots better complying with the social norms of their own culture, both in the verbal [10], [11] and non-verbal behaviour [12], [8]. This preference does not merely affect the robot's likeability.…”

A framework for culture-aware robots based on fuzzy logic

“…In 2013, in a series of experiments involving Arab and German participants, people were asked to place a Nao robot at a suitable distance to hold a conversation with them [1]. None of the participants was used to interact with a robot on a daily basis, but they all had plenty of experience in talking with other people.…”

“…The influence of a person's culture on his attitude towards, and preferences in the interaction with, a robot is the subject of relevant and ongoing research [2]. So far, literature findings suggest that people from different cultures not only have different preferences concerning how the robot should be and behave [3], but also tend to prefer a robot that better complies with the social norms of their own culture, in aspects such as the verbal [4], [5], [6] and non-verbal behaviour [7] and the interpersonal distance [1], [8].…”