Nonverbal Interaction

Abstract

This chapter covers: • The role of nonverbal communication in interactions between people—how communication is enhanced by facial expressions, hand gestures, body posture, and sounds; • The importance of interpreting, using, and responding to nonverbal cues in the appropriate way, both to successful human– robot interactions and to generate a positive perception of robots; • Nonverbal communication channels that are unique to robots, as well as channels that replicate those commonly used by humans; • How robotic sounds, lights, and colors or physical gestures with arms, legs, tails, ears, and other body parts can be effective for communicating with people.