A Study on the Appearance and Behavioral Patterns of Robots for Fostering Attachment in Users

As the importance of emotional interaction between humans and robots continues to gain attention, numerous studies have been conducted to identify the characteristics and effects of emotional HRI (Human–Robot Interaction) elements applied to robots. However, no study has yet combined various HRI elements into a single robot and conducted large-scale user experiments to determine which HRI element users prefer the most. This study selected four characteristics that facilitate attachment and emotional bonding between humans and animals: grooming, emotional transfer, imprinting, and cooperative hunting (play). These four characteristics were incorporated into the design and behavioral patterns of the robot EDIE as HRI elements. To allow users to effectively experience these elements, a 30 min runtime robot performance content featuring EDIE as the main character was developed. This large-scale experiment in the form of a performance enabled participants to engage with all four HRI elements and then respond to a survey identifying their most preferred element. Over two experiments involving a total of 3760 participants, this study examined trends in user preferences regarding the robot’s characteristics. By identifying the most effective HRI elements for fostering user attachment to robots, the findings aim to contribute to the harmonious coexistence of humans and robots.