New work explores optimal circumstances for reaching a common goal with humanoid robots

The key behaviors that enable robots to be seen as co-authors are behaving in a human-like, social manner, engaging in gaze contact, and participating in a common emotional experience. These behaviors create a sense of joint agency between humans and robots, leading to successful collaboration towards shared goals.

Researchers tested human-robot interaction mechanisms by first identifying the sense of joint agency in human-human interactions and then examining if similar responses occurred in human-robot interaction. They conducted two experiments, manipulating the attribution of intentionality (human-likeness) to the robot iCub. In the first experiment, iCub performed a task mechanically, while in the second, participants interacted with iCub in a more human-like manner, involving dialogue, gaze exchange, and watching videos together. They found that humans felt a sense of joint agency with the robot only in the second experiment, indicating that perceiving the robot as an intentional, social agent is crucial for effective collaboration.