User-Centric Design of Social Robots in City Libraries: Exploration of the Interplay of Social Roles and User Expectations

The use of social robots is gaining importance in various sectors, especially in public institutions, to counteract labor shortages. This article explores the impact of assigning different social roles (Entertainer, Caretaker, and Service Provider) to robots in public libraries on users’ expectations regarding personality, emotional expression, communication style, and design features. Participants took part in an online survey (N=85) and expressed their expectations regarding the personality and design of the robots. The research questions aim to uncover the influence of social roles on user expectations and preferences. The results indicate that users indeed have varied expectations depending on the robot’s social role, affecting perceived personality traits, emotional expression, and communication style. The study also addresses users’ expectations regarding design features such as movement patterns, voice, and eye color. The exploration of these complex interactions between robo-personalities, user expectations, and design provides valuable insights for the field of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). The research contributes to the limited literature on the design of social robots for public spaces, emphasizing the importance of aligning robot personalities with user expectations to enhance acceptance and user satisfaction.