[HTML][HTML] Human-like robots and the uncanny valley

M Mara, M Appel, T Gnambs�- Zeitschrift f�r Psychologie, 2022 - econtent.hogrefe.com
Zeitschrift f�r Psychologie, 2022econtent.hogrefe.com
In the field of human-robot interaction, the well-known uncanny valley hypothesis proposes
a curvilinear relationship between a robot's degree of human likeness and the observers'
responses to the robot. While low to medium human likeness should be associated with
increased positive responses, a shift to negative responses is expected for highly
anthropomorphic robots. As empirical findings on the uncanny valley hypothesis are
inconclusive, we conducted a random-effects meta-analysis of 49 studies (total N= 3,556)�…
Abstract
In the field of human-robot interaction, the well-known uncanny valley hypothesis proposes a curvilinear relationship between a robot’s degree of human likeness and the observers’ responses to the robot. While low to medium human likeness should be associated with increased positive responses, a shift to negative responses is expected for highly anthropomorphic robots. As empirical findings on the uncanny valley hypothesis are inconclusive, we conducted a random-effects meta-analysis of 49 studies (total N= 3,556) that reported 131 evaluations of robots based on the Godspeed scales for anthropomorphism (ie, human likeness) and likeability. Our results confirm more positive responses for more human-like robots at low to medium anthropomorphism, with moving robots rated as more human-like but not necessarily more likable than static ones. However, because highly anthropomorphic robots were sparsely utilized in previous studies, no conclusions regarding proposed adverse effects at higher levels of human likeness can be made at this stage.
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