Yōkobo: A Robot to Strengthen Links Amongst Users with Non-Verbal Behaviours
Siméon Capy,
Pablo Osorio,
Shohei Hagane,
Corentin Aznar,
Dora Garcin,
Enrique Coronado,
Dominique Deuff,
Ioana Ocnarescu,
Isabelle Milleville,
Gentiane Venture
Affiliations
Siméon Capy
Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Koganei Campus, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
Pablo Osorio
Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Koganei Campus, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
Shohei Hagane
Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Koganei Campus, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
Corentin Aznar
Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Koganei Campus, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
Dora Garcin
Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Koganei Campus, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
Enrique Coronado
Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Koganei Campus, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
Dominique Deuff
Orange Labs, 22300 Lannion, France
Ioana Ocnarescu
Strate Ecole de Design, 92310 Sèvres, France
Isabelle Milleville
Laboratory of Digital Sciences of Nantes, 44321 Nantes, France
Gentiane Venture
Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Koganei Campus, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
Yōkobo is a robject; it was designed using the principle of slow technology and it aims to strengthen the bond between members (e.g., a couple). It greets people at the entrance and mirrors their interactions and the environment around them. It was constructed by applying the notions of a human–robot–human interaction. Created by joint work between designers and engineers, the form factor (semi-abstract) and the behaviours (nonverbal) were iteratively formed from the early stage of the design process. Integrated into the smart home, Yōkobo uses expressive motion as a communication medium. Yōkobo was tested in our office to evaluate its technical robustness and motion perception ahead of future long-term experiments with the target population. The results show that Yōkobo can sustain long-term interaction and serve as a welcoming partner.
