For those who interact with Android, who looks incredibly human, many say that something “feels”. This phenomenon goes beyond the usual appearance – it is deeply rooted in how robots express emotions and maintain consistent emotional states. In other words, their lack of ability similar to man.
While modern Androids can masterfully repeat individual facial expressions, the challenge is to create natural transitions and maintain emotional consequences. Traditional systems are largely based on pre -programmed expressions, as well as browsing pages in the book, and do not flow naturally from one emotion to another. This rigid approach often causes disconnection between what we see and what we perceive as true emotional expression.
Restrictions become particularly visible during prolonged interactions. Android can smile perfectly in an instant, but he tries to naturally go to the next expression, creating a shocking experience, which reminds us that we interact with the machine, not the essence with real emotions.
A solution based on a wave
Some here New and important studies He appears from the University of Osaka. Scientists have developed an innovative approach that basically imagines again how Androids express emotions. Instead of treating facial expression as isolated actions, this new technology perceives them as related waves of movement that flow naturally on the face of Android.
Like many instruments, they combine to create a symphony, this system combines various face movements – from subtle breathing patterns to blinking of the eye – into a harmonious whole. Each move is represented as a wave that can be modulated and combined with others in real time.
What makes this approach innovative is its dynamic nature. Instead of relying on previously recorded sequences, the system generates ecological expressions, applying these various waves of movement. This creates a more fluid and natural appearance, eliminating robots that often break the illusion of natural emotional expression.
Technical innovation is what scientists call “wave modulation”. This enables the internal android to a direct impact on how these expression waves manifest, creating a more authentic relationship between the programmed emotional state of the robot and its physical expression.
Photo: Hisashi Ishihara
Real -time emotional intelligence
Imagine that you are trying to do an Express robot, that you are getting sleepy. It is not just about falling eyelids – it is also about coordinating many subtle movements that people unknowingly consider as signs of drowsiness. This new system deals with this complex challenge through a brilliant approach to traffic coordination.
Dynamic expression possibilities
Technology will organize nine basic types of coordinated movements, which we usually associate with various stimulation states: breathing, spontaneous flashing, variable eye movements, nodding, head shaking, reflection of sucking, pendular nystmus (rhymmic soresions), swinging head and headscarf.
Each of these movements is controlled by what researchers call “a decaying wave” – a mathematical pattern that determines how movement in time. These waves are not random; They are carefully tuted using five key parameters:
- Amplitude: controls how the movement is pronounced
- Damping factor: It affects how quickly the traffic goes away
- Wavelength: Specifies movement time
- Oscrelation Center: sets the neutral position of movement
- Reactivation period: It controls how often the movement repeats
Internal state reflection
What distinguishes this system is the way it connects these movements with the internal state of stimulation of the robot. When the system indicates a high stimulation (excitement), some wave parameters automatically adapt – for example, breathing movements become more frequent and clear. In a state of low stimulation (drowsiness) you can see slower, clearer yawning movements and occasional head.
The system achieves this through what scientists call modules “time management” and “postural management”. The temporal module controls movements, while the posture module naturally provides all facial elements.
Hisashi Ishihara is the main author of this research and associate professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, and Osaka University.
“Instead of creating superficial movements,” explains Ishihara, “The further development of the system in which internal emotions reflect in every detail of Android's actions, can lead to the creation of Androids perceived as a heart.”
Sleepy Mood Expression on a children's robot on Android (Image Credit: Hisashi Ishihara)
Improvement
Unlike traditional systems that switch between pre -recordings, this approach creates smooth transitions by constantly adjusting these wave parameters. Movements are coordinated by a sophisticated network, which ensures that facial activities work naturally – just like the movements of the human face are unconsciously coordinated.
The research team showed this through experimental conditions showing how the system can effectively convey various stimulation levels while maintaining natural expressions.
Future implications
The development of this emotional expression -based wave opens the fascinating possibilities of human interaction and can be combined with technology such as embodied artificial intelligence in the future. While current androids often cause a sense of anxiety during prolonged interaction, this technology can help to overcome the amazing valley – this uncomfortable space in which robots appear almost, but not quite human.
The key breakthrough is to create a real emotional presence. By generating fluids, expressions suitable for context that match internal states, androids can become more effective in the roles of emotional intelligence and interpersonal connections.
Koichi Słuka served as a senior author and is a professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Osak University.
As Słuka explains, this technology “can significantly enrich emotional communication between people and robots.” Imagine accompanying healthcare, who can express appropriate worries, educational works that show enthusiasm or service works that convey true mindfulness.
Studies show particularly promising results in expressing different levels of stimulation-from high energy excitement to low-energy drowsiness. This ability can be crucial in scenarios in which robots must:
- Convey levels of vigilance during long -term interactions
- Express the appropriate energy levels in therapeutic conditions
- Adjust their emotional state to the social context
- Maintain emotional consistency during extended conversations
The ability of the system to generate natural transitions between states makes it particularly valuable for applications requiring permanent human interaction.
When treating emotional expression as a wave -based phenomenon, not a series of pre -programmed states, technology opens many new opportunities to create robots that can contact people in a significant way. The next steps of the research team will focus on expanding the emotional range of the system and further improving its ability to convey subtle emotional states, affecting the way of thinking and interaction with Androids in our daily lives.
