The role of anthropomorphic, xˆenocentric, intentional, and social (AXˆIS) robotics in human-robot interaction

Abstract

This research explores the socio-cognitive mechanisms of human intelligence through the lens of anthropomorphic, $\hat{x}$enocentric, intentional, and social (A$\hat{X}$IS) robotics. After delving into three pivotal A$\hat{X}$IS concepts – robotic anthropomorphism, intentionality, and sociality – the study examines their impact on robot likeability and successful human-robot interaction (HRI) implementation. The research introduces the concept of robotic $\hat{x}$enocentrism (represented by perceived inferiority and social aggrandizement) as a new global dimension in social robotics literature, positioning it as a higher-order concept that moderates the impact of pivotal independent variables on robot likeability. Analyzing a sample of 308 respondents in global cross-cultural teams, the study confirms that pivotal AXÍS robotics concepts foster positive robot likeability and successful HRI implementation for both industrial and social robots. Perceived inferiority negatively moderated the relationship between anthropomorphism and robot likeability, but it was a positive moderator between intentionality and robot likeability. However, social aggrandizement did not act as a significant boundary condition. Sociality remains unaffected by the moderating influence of $\hat{x}$enocentrism. The study concludes by outlining future research directions for A$\hat{X}$IS robotics.