Effects of Anthropomorphic Design and Motion on Human Perception of Industrial Robotic Arms

Industrial robots are increasingly deployed in human-centered settings, where appearance and motion critically shape worker trust and acceptance. This study employed a 2 × 2 factorial design manipulating robot appearance (Sleek vs. Industrial) and motion (Adaptive vs. Rigid) to examine effects on perceived lifelikeness, intelligence, engagement, trust, and predictability. Participants rated each measure using Likert scales, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlations. Results revealed significant main effects of appearance and movement across multiple perceptual dimensions, with a significant interaction effect observed for trust. Findings suggest that anthropomorphic cues, both visual and behavioral, may enhance perceptions of intelligence, relatability, and trust. This work contributes to the limited literature on anthropomorphism in industrial contexts and provides empirical evidence to guide the design of human-centered collaborative robotic systems.