You look so young, you look so cute. The relationship between physical appearance, age and mental abilities in social robots

Stefano Guidi, Margherita Bracci, Francesco Currò, Alessandro Innocenti, Luca Lusuardi, Enrica Marchigiani, Paola Palmitesta, Matteo Sirizzotti and Oronzo Parlangeli

Behaviour and Information Technology, 2025, vol. 44, issue 6, 1136-1145

Abstract: The study analyses differences in the perceived age, cuteness and mental abilities of robots displayed as 3D models in a VR setting, manipulating anthropomorphic variables such as height, head dimension, and limb length. Participants (N = 122) were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions where they interacted with a robot with a different combination of physical dimensions. The interactions took place in a CAVE – an immersive VR room, which allowed participants to directly perceive the dimensions of the robot. In the CAVE we collected from participants impressions about the robot using Likert scales and numeric input. After the interaction, they had to fill in a post-test questionnaire measuring their tendency to anthropomorphism, literacy about Artificial Intelligence, and sensitivity to cute stimuli. Results show that changes in the physical appearance of the robots affect the perception of their age. A small robot with an increased head-to-body ratio is also perceived to be cuter, and the tendency towards anthropomorphism is related to higher perceived levels of experience in the robot. Results thus may be considered relevant when developing robots for specific functions, such as serving adults or children activities, studies, or work.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/0144929X.2025.2457563

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