Mechanical engineer Nilanjan Sarkar and psychologist Craig Smith are collaborating on the development of a new kind of robot, one that can sense human emotions and respond appropriately. By analyzing the output of a suite of biosensors worn by the robot’s supervisor, they believe that it should be possible to identify when the person is anxious or calm, engaged or bored, attentive or inattentive. In this fashion, a robot or computer could be programmed to continuously monitor its supervisors state of mind. Such a technology could be used to make robots more effective as assistants in the office, on the construction site or at home. It could also be employed to make computer-aided instruction and virtual-reality-based physical therapy more interactive and effective. In addition, it could improve the utilization of robots for space exploration and on the battlefield.

By David F. Salisbury
February 10, 2003