Robots at arm’s length: unveiling the dynamics of interpersonal distance preferences in human-robot interactions
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Author (Corporation)
Publication date
2025
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04B - Conference paper
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Parent work
Social Robots with AI: Prospects, Risks, and Responsible Methods. Proceedings of Robophilosophy 2024, 19–23 August 2024, Aarhus University, Denmark, and online
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Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and Applications
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Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
122–132
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Publisher / Publishing institution
IOS Press
Place of publication / Event location
Aarhus
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Abstract
In social interactions, interpersonal distance is a vital factor influencing relationships, providing protection, and regulating arousal. Despite the intuitive nature of adopting specific distances, little is known about comfortable interpersonal distances with social robots. In our online study with 66 participants using a Go/No-Go task, we investigated perceptions of individuals standing face-to-face with a robot at different distances. In line with the negativity bias hypothesis, participants exhibited a preference for greater distances, as reflected in longer reaction times. Furthermore, the human-likeness of the robots moderated the link between distance and arousal. Finally, the most human-like robot was less liked and evoked higher arousal. These findings have implications for designing social robots and optimizing interactions, particularly in educational or medical contexts.
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Event
Robophilosophy Conference 2024
Exhibition start date
Exhibition end date
Conference start date
19.08.2024
Conference end date
23.08.2024
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ISBN
978-1-64368-567-0
978-1-64368-568-7
978-1-64368-568-7
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Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
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Peer review of the complete publication
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Closed
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Citation
Kühne, K., Zimmer, L. M., Jeglinski-Mende, M., Bendel, O., Zhou, Y., & Fischer, M. H. (2025). Robots at arm’s length: unveiling the dynamics of interpersonal distance preferences in human-robot interactions. In J. Seibt, P. Fazekas, & O. S. Quick (Eds.), Social Robots with AI: Prospects, Risks, and Responsible Methods. Proceedings of Robophilosophy 2024, 19–23 August 2024, Aarhus University, Denmark, and online (pp. 122–132). IOS Press. https://doi.org/10.3233/FAIA241496