The elegant Apple Working framework can make a less similar to machines and more like companions

apple The researchers developed a New frame To make non -human robots move naturally and explicitly during interactions with people, and may pave the way for more attractive automated assistants in homes and workplaces.

The research, which was published this month on Arxiv, offers an emoji and practical movement ElegantWhich allows robots to transfer intentions, emotions and positions through their movements – rather than just completing job tasks.

“In order for robots naturally interacting with humans, the design of robot must integrate the emojis – such as intention, attention and emotions – along with traditional job considerations such as achieving spatial tasks, restrictions and time efficiency,” researchers write from the Apple team of robots in Apple in them in the search paper .

How did the office lamp become a perfect test for robot emotions

The study focused on a lamp -like robot, reminding us of Pixar animation Luxury Son. Personality, equipped with an automatic arm of 6 axes and a head that contains a light and a display device. The researchers programmed the robot with two types of movements: purely functional movements focused on completing the tasks, and more expressive movements designed to connect the internal state of the robot.

In the user test with 21 participants, expressive movements have greatly improved the participation of people and their visualization of the robot. This effect was particularly evident during social tasks such as playing music or engaging in conversation, although it was less effective for purely career tasks such as lighting adjustment.

“Without fun, I may find this type of interaction with a annoying robot rather than welcoming it and attractive,” one of the study participants, with a highlight of how to make expressive movements even the behavior of intrusive robots more acceptable.

User test reveals the age gap in robot movement preferences

The search comes at a time when major technology companies are increasingly exploring home robots. While most current home robots, such as robot spaces, focus on pure function, this work indicates that adding more natural and expressive movements can make future robots more attractive.

However, researchers note that balance is very important. “There must be a balance between participation through the movement and the speed that is granted the task, otherwise a person may grow patience,” one of the participants may notice.

The study also found that the older participants were less accepted to the emojis, indicating that robot behavior may need to be customized based on the user’s preferences.

The future of social robots: find the sweet spot between the job and the expression

While Apple rarely discusses its robots publicly, this work provides exciting hints on how the technology giant deals with future home robots. The study indicates a basic shift in robots design: instead of focusing only on what robots can do, companies should think about the feeling of robots.

The challenge he faces does not lie in the programming of robots to complete the tasks, but in making their presence welcomes our most intimate areas. With the transmission of robots from the factory floors to the living rooms, their success may depend on raw efficiency and more on their ability to read the room – literally and metaphorically.

Apple paper will be presented in 2025 Interactive systems design Conference in Madeira in July.

Results indicate a future where robot design requires a lot of inputs of animation and behavioral psychologists as is the case with engineers.

When robots become more common in homes and workplaces, make them move in ways that you feel natural rather than mechanical can be the difference between another forgotten tool and a really indispensable companion. The real test will be whether companies like Apple can translate these research ideas into products that people not only use, but they really want to interact with them.