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Movie magic makes better social robots: the overlap of special effects and character robot engineering

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Derek SchererAuthors Info & Claims

Journal of Human-Robot Interaction, Volume 3, Issue 1

Pages 123 - 141

https://doi.org/10.5898/JHRI.3.1.Scherer

Published: 28 February 2014 Publication History

Abstract

This essay provides a perspective on the ongoing convergence of social robots and special effects, animation, animatronics, puppetry techniques, and other entertainment technologies. In this paper, I will address the following design concepts:

- Character robot design principles and concepts

- Fully realized Character robots as Slaves, as a term and social artifact

- The implementation of particular special effect techniques

I abstract robots into six categories and focus the discussion on one of these: The Companion type.

I suggest that this type of robot might benefit from being what I call a Character robot, achieving this status by possessing the following four traits:

1) Biological in its appearance

2) Clear and simple in its expression

3) Well-animated

4) Recognizable in its personality

References

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Aldebaran Robotics {Company} (2008, October 27). Aldebaran Robotics' NAO Humanoid Bends Over, Squeezes Duck. BotJunkie. Retrieved from http://www.ackdigital.com/botjunkie/pages/Aldebaran_Robotics_NAO_Humanoid_Bends_Over_Squeezes_Duck.html

[2]

Aeryon Robotics {Company} (2009). Aeryon Scout micro-UAV. Retrieved from http://www.aeryon.com/products/avs.html

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Bartneck, C. (2002). eMuu - An embodied emotional character for the ambient intelligent home. (Thesis: Doctor of Philosophy). Eindhoven, Netherlands: Eindhoven University of Techology.

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Blomkamp, N., Block, B., & Kinberg, S. (Producers) & Blomkamp, N. (Director) (2013). Elysium {Motion Picture}. United States:

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Digital Library

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Cunningham, C, Weiner, Z., Walsh, F., & Jackson, P. (Producers) & Jackson, P. (Director) (2012). The hobbit: An unexpected journey {Motion Picture}. United States: Warner Bros. Pictures.

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De Laurentiis, R. (Producer) & Cohen, R. (Director) (1996). Dragonheart {Motion Picture}. United States: Universal Pictures.

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Groening, M. & Cohen, D. X. (1999). Futurama {TV Series}. United States: Fox.

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Henson, J. (1976). The Muppet Show {TV Series}. England: ATV Elstree Studios.

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Johnson, M., & Newirth, C. (Producers) & Parisot, D. (Director) (1999). Galaxy Quest {Motion Picture}. United States: DreamWorks Pictures.

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Kahn, P. H. Jr., Kanda, T., Ishiguro, H., Freier, N. G., Severson, R. L., Gill, B. T., Ruckert, J. H, & Shen, S. (2012). Robovie, you'll have to go into the closet now: Children's social and moral relationships with a humanoid robot. Developmental Psychology, 48(2), 303--314.

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Spielberg, S. (1984). Gremlins {Motion Picture}. United States: Warner Bros. Pictures.

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Cited By

Schulz TTorresen JHerstad J(2019)Animation Techniques in Human-Robot Interaction User StudiesACM Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction10.1145/33173258:2(1-22)Online publication date: 3-Jun-2019
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3317325
Cheon ESu NBartneck CNagai YPaiva AŠabanović S(2016)Integrating Roboticist Values into a Design Framework for Humanoid RobotsThe Eleventh ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human Robot Interaction10.5555/2906831.2907002(603-604)Online publication date: 7-Mar-2016
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/2906831.2907002
Cheon ESu NBartneck CNagai YPaiva AŠabanović S(2016)Integrating Roboticist Values into a Value Sensitive Design Framework for Humanoid RobotsThe Eleventh ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human Robot Interaction10.5555/2906831.2906895(375-382)Online publication date: 7-Mar-2016
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/2906831.2906895

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Information

Published In

cover image Journal of Human-Robot Interaction

Journal of Human-Robot Interaction Volume 3, Issue 1

Special Issue on Design in HRI: Past, Present, and Future

February 2014

139 pages

EISSN:2163-0364

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Journal of Human-Robot Interaction Steering Committee

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Published: 28 February 2014

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Cited By

Schulz TTorresen JHerstad J(2019)Animation Techniques in Human-Robot Interaction User StudiesACM Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction10.1145/33173258:2(1-22)Online publication date: 3-Jun-2019
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3317325
Cheon ESu NBartneck CNagai YPaiva AŠabanović S(2016)Integrating Roboticist Values into a Design Framework for Humanoid RobotsThe Eleventh ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human Robot Interaction10.5555/2906831.2907002(603-604)Online publication date: 7-Mar-2016
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/2906831.2907002
Cheon ESu NBartneck CNagai YPaiva AŠabanović S(2016)Integrating Roboticist Values into a Value Sensitive Design Framework for Humanoid RobotsThe Eleventh ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human Robot Interaction10.5555/2906831.2906895(375-382)Online publication date: 7-Mar-2016
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/2906831.2906895

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