Study investigating the ease of talking via a robot tele-operated from same or different rooms

In this study, ease of talking is compared in three conversation forms: face-to-face conversation (direct conversation) and conversation with a robot that is tele-operated from the same room and different room (semi-indirect and indirect conversation, respectively). As a result, it was found that the silent time, which indicates how long the participants make an interlocutor wait until a response is given, in both semi-indirect and indirect conversation exceeds that in direct conversation. Additionally, the silent time in direct conversation after semi-indirect conversation exceeds that after direct conversation. The results indicate that a robot tele-operated from different rooms as well as from the same room can provide partners with time to think of the words uttered by them. Moreover, the results indicate that these effects are sustained in direct conversation following a conversation with a robot that is operated from the same room. These results indicate the potential of constructing a system of conversation via a robot that can be used in easier counseling for clients who experience difficulties in directly communicating with a counselor.