Let’s Get Physical: The Influence of Embodiment on Industrial Human-Robot Interaction

In recent years, an increasing number of studies in human-robot interaction (HRI) have used images or videos of robots as a simple, inexpensive, and customizable substitute for physically embodied robots. Thus, the question arises whether results from studies using depictions can be validly applied to interactions with embodied robots. This study investigated the effect of embodiment in HRI within an industrial interaction scenario, focusing on perception, trust, and task performance. Eighty-five participants interacted either with an embodied robot or its depiction via a computer screen. Results showed that the embodied robot was perceived as more likable, intelligent, and safer, eliciting higher initial trust. Primary task performance was observed to be higher in interaction with the embodied robot, while secondary task performance was higher in interaction with the robot’s depiction. These findings challenge the generalizability of depiction-based HRI research, highlighting the importance of considering embodiment in future research designs.