Initial Validation of the Teleoperator-Avatar Robot Interaction Scale (TARX)

Extant work on human-machine relations indicates humans experience variably social relations with machines. However, there is yet no systematic framework for considering the potential sociality of relations between teleoperators and controlled robots, in addition to their functional associations. We bridge that gap by initially validating a proposed-but-untested measurement model of teleoperator/avatar-robot interaction (the TARX scale) inspired by game-based player-avatar relations. In a lab-based study of human operators’ subjective experiences in remote-controlling a robotic arm, we find support for the hypothesized factor structure comprising four dimensions: Relational closeness, anthropomorphic autonomy, critical concern, and sense of control. Results demonstrate the coherence of socioemotional dimensions of operator experience in addition to cognitive and performance considerations.