Sound Judgment: Properties of Consequential Sounds Affecting Human-Perception of Robots

TL;DR

This study investigates how different properties of robot sounds influence human perceptions, revealing preferences for natural, rhythmic, and informative sounds to improve human-robot interaction.

Contribution

It identifies specific sound properties that affect human perception of robots, providing insights for designing more acceptable robot sounds.

Findings

Participants preferred natural and rhythmic sounds over machine-like noises.

High-pitched and loud sounds were generally disliked.

Informative and audible sounds increased perceived predictability.

Abstract

Positive human-perception of robots is critical to achieving sustained use of robots in shared environments. One key factor affecting human-perception of robots are their sounds, especially the consequential sounds which robots (as machines) must produce as they operate. This paper explores qualitative responses from 182 participants to gain insight into human-perception of robot consequential sounds. Participants viewed videos of different robots performing their typical movements, and responded to an online survey regarding their perceptions of robots and the sounds they produce. Topic analysis was used to identify common properties of robot consequential sounds that participants expressed liking, disliking, wanting or wanting to avoid being produced by robots. Alongside expected reports of disliking high pitched and loud sounds, many participants preferred informative and audible sounds (over no sound) to provide predictability of purpose and trajectory of the robot. Rhythmic sounds were preferred over acute or continuous sounds, and many participants wanted more natural sounds (such as wind or cat purrs) in-place of machine-like noise. The results presented in this paper support future research on methods to improve consequential sounds produced by robots by highlighting features of sounds that cause negative perceptions, and providing insights into sound profile changes for improvement of human-perception of robots, thus enhancing human robot interaction.