Users’ Preferences of Robots for Domestic Use

This study identifies the design preferences of robots for domestic use. In an online survey, participants rated 16 robot pictures on several evaluation criteria. Results show that overall anthropomorphic robots are more positively rated than either zoomorphic, caricatured or functional robots. Moreover, negative feelings towards robot (e.g. negative attitudes and anxiety towards robots) negatively affected the design evaluations. Providing future users with positive information about domestic robots could improve their feelings towards robots, which, in turn, raises their ratings of robotic designs.