Are specialist robots better than generalist robots?

Investigation of the effects of specialization in robot functions and individual difference in immersive tendencies on users' trust, perception, activity, and memory showed that specialization had effects on the participants' affective trust; and immersive tendency predicted active participation in the interaction and led to better memory.

Abstract

When a robot is said to be a specialist in a particular domain, does it alter the nature and quality of human-robot interaction? This study examines the effects of specialization in robot functions, along with individual difference in immersive tendencies, on users' trust, perception, activity, and memory. In a controlled experiment, 38 participants were taught a physical exercise lesson from either a specialist or generalist humanoid robot for 6 min. Results showed that specialization had effects on the participants' affective trust; and immersive tendency predicted active participation in the interaction and led to better memory. The latter also moderated the effect of the former - users with higher immersive tendency are more likely to make human attributions of specialization, and rate a specialist robot as more intelligent than a generalist robot. These results have theoretical implications for media-equation as well as design implications for human-robot interaction professionals.