Squeeze me: gently please

This paper presents the Squeeze Me, a research-through-design case that explores the emergence of empathic behavior between human and machine by sparking an expression-rich relation. The Squeeze Me is a squeezable device used to grab attention from a robot, providing ground for expressive values to be shared. The expressions exerted on the mediating device by the human are mapped to expressive behaviors of the robot in the modality of motion in forthcoming interaction. We propose a double-layered interaction paradigm in achieving natural and socially acceptable synthesis. Firstly, a direct mapping, inherently exhibiting a natural relationship. Secondly, an amplifying and reductive mapping to construct a personalizing relationship through vivid and lively interactions fed by the intentions of the robot as well as the user. The design case serves to explore consequences of a phenomenological approach on the constitution of empathy in the fields of human and robot interaction. With this work we intend to inspire design engineering to shift from representational and discrete to rich, continuous-sustained and other embodied mechanisms for interaction when targeting empathic behavior to emerge.