Robots as Ambient Observers: Investigating the Effects of Robotic Eye Features on Human Perception

Understanding the social effects induced by the ambient observation of a robot is essential for their successful integration into human environments. This study explores the influence of eye-related design factors of robots on human perceptions associated with social facilitation. We conducted an online experiment to test the hypothesis that visual and behavioral features of the eyes of a robot influence the feeling of being watched and perceived agency, which together shape public self-awareness. Using a 2 × 3 ×2 ×2 between-subjects design, we manipulated four eye-related factors in a virtual robot: visual realism, size, gaze cue, and blinking. Our analysis revealed that, contrary to our expectations, visual realism and size did not influence the feeling of being watched. However, gaze cue positively affected perceived agency while blinking enhanced it. Perceived agency, in turn, emerged as a significant predictor of public self-awareness. The structural model highlighted a significant relationship: perceived agency enhances the feeling of being watched. These findings suggest that perceived agency mediates the relationship between robotic eye behaviors and public self-awareness. This study provides foundational insights for designing social robots to enhance human experiences in shared spaces.