Robert: People love confident robots, but relate more to anxious ones

While most research on robot personalities has focused on traits like extroversion, a new study from the University of Chicago reveals that humans feel a deeper emotional connection to robots that seem more uncertain. 

In an interview with NPR, University of Michigan School of Information professor Lionel Robert, an expert on artificial intelligence, explains why extraversion is the go-to trait for social robots. 

"Imagine if your autonomous vehicle was neurotic," says Robert. "That's not a trait you'd be happy with."

As robots are increasingly used for skill-based traits that require an appearance of positivity and confidence, research has largely favored traits like assertiveness and cheerfulness. But as robots become more integrated into everyday social contexts, like therapy and education, it might be time to explore whether more nuanced personalities might form stronger emotional bonds. 

RELATED

Read or listen to “People like extroverted robots — but they relate to the neurotic ones” on NPR. 

Learn more about UMSI professor Lionel Robert by visiting his UMSI profile.