A study on autonomous robots that can play with children through embodied communication

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In this study, we developed a robot platform and play modules in order to realize autonomous robots that can play with children. We also examined abilities which are required for the robots to play with children for a long period of time. To this end, we observed many scenes, in which preschool teachers play with children, and constructed an action decision model for the robot based on the estimation of inner states of the children. The estimation is carried out based on the facial expressions and actions taken by the children. We tested the model using many children in a kindergarten and figured out that the model works good. We also found out that the embodied physical communication between the robot and the child is very important for the child to make a good relationship between them. Furthermore, we experimentally found that a type of interaction, which is suitable for a certain personality, exists.