Robot animals: to design and make

Abstract

This study explores the potential of robotic animal companions in human-robot interaction (HRI) and their effects on emotional well-being. With increasing urbanization, traditional pet ownership is becoming less feasible, necessitating alternative companionship solutions. Additionally, advancements in robotics, electronic technology, and the growing social acceptance of virtual characters in human relationships have made it technically feasible to develop more biomimetic, autonomous, and long-term relationship-oriented robotic animals.

A mixed-methods approach was employed, focusing on robotic animal development, iterative redesign, public demonstrations, and user feedback-driven improvements. The study emphasized the importance of animal behavior, physiology, and human-animal relationships in replicating meaningful interactions in human-robot relationships. Controlled experiments and qualitative interviews were conducted to analyze users' psychological and physiological responses to bio-inspired robotic animals.

The study successfully developed interactive robotic animals with both practical and theoretical innovations in design, materials, control systems, and interaction modalities. Notably, the robotic animals featured an autonomous control system, a model of human-animal relationships, and novel mechanisms for animal-inspired vocalizations and tactile perception through custom-designed touch sensors. Results indicate that interacting with these robotic animals significantly reduced stress levels and increased positive emotional engagement. Participants exhibited behaviors similar to those seen in human-animal interactions.

These findings highlight the potential of bio-inspired robotic animals as effective emotional support tools. The study contributes to the design of future HRI systems and suggests applications in therapeutic and assistive robotics. The practical implementation of robotic animals provided both creators and users with a tangible and immersive experience, reinforcing the significance of these developments for the future of robotic animal research. The accumulated experiences and theoretical insights gained from this study are crucial for advancing the field of robotic animal development.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Yijie Gao: orcid.org/0009-0007-5953-2641

ORCID for Seth Giddings: orcid.org/0000-0001-7323-9184

ORCID for Vanissa Wanick: orcid.org/0000-0002-6367-1202

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