Telepresence Robots and Their Impact on Human-Human Interaction

In an increasingly globalized world remote communication becomes ever more crucial. Hence, telepresence robots gain importance as they simplify attending important but distant events. However, research regarding human affinity towards a person by interacting directly or through a telepresence robot with another individual has not been undertaken immensely. Therefore, this work aims to investigate if there is a difference and by what it may be caused. Thus, a concurrent nested mixed method study was performed. A tour guided by a student was conducted with 102 participants through a part of a university building. Forty-one subjects experienced the tour through the telepresence robot Double 2 whereas another 41 subjects did the tour in person. The Multidimensional Mood State Questionnaire was used before and after the tour to detect if the tour has an impact on subjects’ mood. Human affinity was measured inter alia through a hypothetical injury scenario of the guide in a questionnaire. In addition, information about the robot and tour were collected. Indications which strengthen that there is no difference in perception of human affinity whether people are interacting through a telepresence robot or in person were found. Moreover, new hypotheses which refine the original were established. Furthermore, the human guide will be replaced by a robot guide in a future study. Thereby, future work aims to lay the foundation of “human-robot-robot” interaction with respect to human affinity which has not yet been undertaken.