IIIT Bangalore scientists craft robotic model capable of communicating human emotions

Unlike existing models reliant on multi-modal features, the researchers at Indian Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) contend that their creation goes beyond by incorporating personality inferences and theories of interpersonal behavior during human-robot interactions.

The study, authored by Soham Joshi, Arpitha Malavalli, and Shrisha Rao, was recently published in the open-access journal PLOS.

Faculty supervisor Shrisha Rao emphasized the desire for the robot to exhibit cognitive improvement in a nuanced manner, avoiding rigid responses. The researchers aimed to integrate long-established psychological theories into Artificial Intelligence (AI) by utilizing classical principles to enhance the model's understanding and prediction of human engagement.

Rao outlined the significance of infusing psychology into AI, emphasizing the need for robots to consider factors like age and interests during interactions.

The researchers assert that this innovation is crucial for advancing personal assistive devices, enabling them to comprehend human emotions and moods instead of providing static responses.

Additionally, the technology holds promise in industries, such as automotive, where it can gauge a person's mental state and issue alerts for potential hazards, such as driver fatigue.

The scientists anticipate further development and applications of this technology, foreseeing its potential to revolutionize personal assistive devices and enhance safety in various domains.