IM HERE: Interaction Model for Human Effort Based Robot Engagement

TL;DR

This paper introduces IM HERE, a comprehensive framework for modeling engagement in human-human, human-robot, and robot-robot interactions using effort-based relationship analysis to enhance social norm adherence and autonomous system behavior.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel effort-based engagement model that generalizes across interaction types and integrates subjective and objective data for social behavior analysis.

Findings

Effective modeling of engagement in various interaction contexts.

Accurate identification of miscommunication through the model.

Framework supports autonomous systems to follow social norms.

Abstract

The effectiveness of human-robot interaction often hinges on the ability to cultivate engagement - a dynamic process of cognitive involvement that supports meaningful exchanges. Many existing definitions and models of engagement are either too vague or lack the ability to generalize across different contexts. We introduce IM HERE, a novel framework that models engagement effectively in human-human, human-robot, and robot-robot interactions. By employing an effort-based description of bilateral relationships between entities, we provide an accurate breakdown of relationship patterns, simplifying them to focus placement and four key states. This framework captures mutual relationships, group behaviors, and actions conforming to social norms, translating them into specific directives for autonomous systems. By integrating both subjective perceptions and objective states, the model precisely identifies and describes miscommunication. The primary objective of this paper is to automate the analysis, modeling, and description of social behavior, and to determine how autonomous systems can behave in accordance with social norms for full social integration while simultaneously pursuing their own social goals.