Expressive Robotic Head for Human-Robot Interaction Studies

In this paper we present an improvement of the ISR-RobotHead prototype interaction capabilities having in view future Human-Robot Interactions studies. To accomplish that, a new hardware and software architectures and new facial expressions were developed. This new prototype (ISR-RobotHead v2.0) uses LCDs to display six human facial emotional expressions, avoiding the use of interlinked mechanical systems. The prototype also incorporates cameras, microphones, speakers, and LEDs on the robot's cheeks. To validate the new cartoon facial expressions, an exploratory study was performed with children (4-6 years old) and adults (23-24 years old), who were asked to identify the expression displayed by the ISR-RobotHead v2.0; for children, the evaluation of accuracy in the detection of emotional expressions was performed through a corresponding number of cards picturing child's emotional facial expressions. Preliminary results successfully validate the proposed robot's non-verbal communication.