Empathy Objects: Robotic Devices as Conversation Companions
Extended Abstracts of the 9th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction
Abstract
We present the notion of Empathy Objects, ambient robotic devices accompanying human-human interaction. Empathy Objects respond to human behavior using physical gestures as nonverbal expressions of their “emotional states”. The goal is to increase people’s self-awareness to the emotional state of others, leading to behavior change. We demonstrate an Empathy Object prototype, Kip1, a conversation companion designed to promote non-aggressive conversation between people.