Abstract

This study explored children’s and adults ’ attitudes towards different types of robots. A large sample of children viewed different robot images and completed a questionnaire that enquired about different robot physical attributes, personality and emotion characteristics. A few adults independently rated the overall appearance of different robot images. Results indicated high levels of agreement for classifications of robot appearance between children and adults, but children only differentiated between certain robot personality characteristics (e.g. aggressiveness) and emotions (e.g. anger) in relation to how adults rated the robots ’ appearances. Agreement among children for particular robots in terms of personality and emotion attributes varied. Previously, we found evidence for the Uncanny Valley based on children’s ratings of robot appearance. However, based on the adults ’ rating of robot appearances, we did not find evidence of the Uncanny Valley in terms of how children perceived emotions and personality of the robots. Results are discussed in light of future design implications for children’s robots. 1