Scientists develop "emotional" robots

 

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By Stewart Mitchell

Posted on 9 Aug 2010 at 10:18

Scientists say they have moved closer to giving robots a sense of personality by creating the first capable of showing emotions.

Scientists from the University of Hertfordshire were among the lead researchers working to develop the Nao robot's emotions, by trying to replicate the way toddlers exhibit sadness, happiness or anger.

This behaviour is modelled on what a young child does

"This behaviour is modelled on what a young child does," said Dr Lola Cañamero. “This is also very similar to the way chimpanzees and other non-human primates develop affective bonds with their caregivers.”

“We are working on non-verbal cues and the emotions are revealed through physical postures, gestures and movements of the body rather than facial or verbal expression,” said Cañamero.

The Nao robot, which is a joint project between a gaggle of European research institutes, shows sadness by scrunching its shoulders and looking at the floor and demonstrates happiness with outstretched arms, like a child looking for a hug.

The robot can also express anger, fear, excitement and pride, and will become visibly distressed if its caregiver fails to provide comfort when the robot is confronted by a stressful situation.

Although the Nao isn't feeling actual emotions, the work is seen as important because it should improve the bonds between robot and human, making the machines more useful in situations such as companion robots in care homes for the elderly.

The developers say the robot's emotional development is programmed to learn to adapt to the actions and mood of its human caregivers, and to become attached to any individual who interacts with the robot in a way that is suited to its personality profile and learning needs.

The more the robot interacts with the primary caregiver, the stronger the bond developed and the amount learned, the researchers said.