Applicability of equilibrium theory of intimacy to non-verbal interaction with robots: Multi-channel approach using duration of gazing and distance between a human subject and robot

This study discusses the applicability of the equilibrium theory of intimacy to non-verbal interaction between a human and a robot through how long they maintain eye contact and through a multi-channel approach to distance. According to the equilibrium theory of intimacy, in interpersonal communication, multiple non-verbal channels are simultaneously adjusted to maintain equilibrium of the intimacy level. This study includes a self-introduction situation by a robot in which the duration of eye contact and the distance between them are manipulated and how long the participant looks at the robot is measured. As a result, as the equilibrium theory of intimacy predicts, how long the robot is looked at increases when the distance between them is great, while the duration is short when the distance is short. Discussions here include problems with and prospects for applying the equilibrium theory of intimacy to interactions with a robot.