Researchers develop emotionally sensitive robots

Posted on 18 Jul 2008 at 17:37

European researchers are developing robots that are in touch with human emotions. Research group Feelix Growing is working on software which empowers robots to learn when a human is happy, sad or angry.

The robots use artificial neural networks, which are well suited to varied and changing inputs. Cameras and sensors detect details such as a person's facial expression, voice and proximity to determine how they are feeling.

Like human, the robot learns how to respond to people exhibiting different emotions through experience. If a person shows fear, the robot may alter its behaviour to appear less threatening. According to the researchers, the robots may even learn to tailor their emotions to individuals.

"If robots are to be truly integrated in humans' everyday environment in order to provide services such as company, caregiving, entertainment, patient monitoring, aids in therapy, etc., they cannot be simply designed and taken off the shelf to be directly embedded into a real-life setting," explained the group in its project summary.

"Adaptation to incompletely known and changing environments and personalisation to their human users and partners are necessary features to achieve successful long-term integration."

25 specialists in six countries are currently proof of concept demonstration models. The researchers hope the robots will eventually be used to help the sick, elderly or disabled. A robot face is also in development to express feelings of its own.

Author: Dawinderpal Sahota

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