Retro-Projected Virtual Agent: A Simple yet Advanced Social Robot
Ahmed Salem, Kaoru Sumi · Atlantis Highlights in Computer Sciences/Atlantis highlights in computer sciences · 2024
A robotic head is one of the most crucial components of a robot in HRI experiments as it provides the potential for interaction using facial expressions and dialogue.Retro-projected robots can be used in the field of affective computing due to their interaction abilities.Unfortunately, most robots are expensive and suffer from high complexity or risk of falling into the uncanny valley.Retro-projected robots offer an alternative where such problems are reduced greatly.In this paper, we present the design methodology of a retro-projected robot.We explain the optimal method for choosing the projector and a suitable fisheye lens, which are the main units in the robot.We retro-project a virtual agent using a laser projector on a 3D plastic transparent face mask fixed on a realistic foam mannequin head passing through a fisheye lens.We investigate many HRI factors by conducting interviews and asking subjects to fill out questionnaires.Our results show that our robot is trusted by the users, perceived to be safe, and perceived as social due to its responsive and interactive ability.However, it was not perceived to be empathetic, in line with this, it was rated negatively on the anthropomorphism factor as it appeared more artificial and machine-like to subjects despite being perceived to be kind and friendly.