Evaluation study on asymmetrical facial expressions generation for Humanoid Robot

Human-Robot Interaction is one of the biggest challenges in Humanoid Robotics. Interaction can be carried out through different channels, as humans can communicate through complex languages, including the use of non-verbal communication. Specifically, facial expressions are important for conveying emotions and communication intentions. Several humanoid robots can already perform a certain set of expressions, but their capabilities are somewhat limited and as a result, interaction is not natural. One aspect that could help robots being perceived as real is asymmetry. That is why in this paper we perform an evaluation study of symmetrical and asymmetrical facial expressions of the humanoid robot KOBIAN-R These expressions are made by a generator based on relevant studies of facial anatomy and non-verbal communication and on the work of illustrators and cartoonists. Survey results confirmed the effectiveness of the generator and the importance of asymmetry. We conclude that using this system, robot communication capabilities improve, making possible the development of more advanced interaction in the future.