Anthropomorphization method using attachable humanoid parts

With this video, we propose a new human-robot interaction that anthropomorphizes a target common object and transform it into a communicative agent using attachable humanoid parts. The user perceives the target to have its own intentions and body image through the attached body parts. This video shows examples of anthropomorphization method as below.

First, the video shows the setup process of our method in which a demonstrator attaches each part, such as eye-like parts, arm-like parts, and camera to a common electric oven. The oven becomes a communicative robot by attaching these parts.

Second, the video explains three applications - self advertisement, self presentation, and interactive manual - that are achieved by anthropomorphized objects.

In the self advertisement situation, the anthropomorphized oven attracts customers and explains its function by itself. This situation assumes that these devices are used in shops in future. In the self presentation situation, an anthropomorphized poster explains its contents by itself. There is no other explainer. This situation assumes that these devices are used on a poster presentation. In the interactive manual situation, an anthropomorphized printer explains its function interactively. This explanation is intuitive and understandable for children and elderly people. After third situation, this anthropomorphized printer is compared to an explanation from the humanoid robot Robovie throught gaze direction analysis. In the Robovie situation, the guidance fails because the robot distracts from the target itself. However in the anthropomorphized printer situation, users can concentrate on the interaction.

Last, we use an anthropomorphized shredder using eye-like parts, arm-like parts, and skin sensor. The shredder explains its interactive manual like in the printer situation. However in this interaction, this shredder detects the user's touch and proceeds with the interaction instead of waiting to detect voice.