Do You Think I Approve of That? Designing Facial Expressions for a Robot

This paper discusses initial work with a broad age range neuro-typical sample (N \(=\) 77), towards a training system in social signal recognition for high-functioning adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Outlined is a principled design of four approval and four disapproval facial expressions for the EMYS robot head and the method and conduct of a pilot study ‘in the wild’, testing user recognition of these expressions. Results showed that recognition varied over the eight expressions, with some expressions perceived as ambiguous and one approval expression as disapproval. Expression type, ordering effects, age, and pre-study training are identified as important issues.