EMI: An Expressive Mobile Interactive Robot

In this paper, we explore how the emotional behavior of a robot affects interactions with humans. We introduce the EMI platform - an expressive, mobile and interactive robot - consisting of a circular diff-drive robot base equipped with a rear-projected expressive face, and omni-directional microphone for voice-interaction. We exhibited the EMI robot at a public event, in which attendees were given the option to interact with the robot and participate in a survey and observational study. The survey and observations focused on the effects of the robot's expressiveness in interactions with users of different ages and cultural backgrounds. From the survey responses, video observations and informal interviews we highlight key design decisions in EMI that resulted in positive user reactions.