As we inch closer to the day when we can go online and buy personal robot servants (and, perhaps, an insurrection in which these same robo-workers take over), it’s worth thinking about what these machines should look like.
Fortunately, there’s already a study with a few ideas: Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Psychology is presenting results of a study this week that explores whether two groups of people (young adults and senior citizens) prefer a robot with a more human or mechanical face, or something in between.
The results are interesting, as they reveal not just different preferences for each age group but also for the job the robot is assignedwhich might offer some insights for how to design more advanced robots that people will feel comfortable using.
Researchers found that, generally, the majority of college students surveyed preferred faces that look more robotic, while older study participants gravitated toward human-like faces.
Read also:
What Should a Robot's Face Look Like? (IEEE Spectrum)
How Human Do We Want Our Robots To Look? (Popular Science)
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