Norwich, UK – A new study by the University of East Anglia reveals that a small robot can appear more human-like after just one game with a person.

More than 100 participants were observed interacting with a robot named Cozmo. Half of the group first played a social game with the robot, while the others did not.

Cozmo, a box-shaped machine on tank-like treads with a lift arm, was seen displaying a range of emotions, including happiness, frustration, sadness, and curiosity.

Lead researcher Dr Natalie Wyer said, “We found that when people interact socially with a robot, they begin to perceive its actions more like they would those of a human.”

She explained that only the group who played a game first judged Cozmo’s movements as if the robot was thinking independently. This group also made the same types of timing errors they typically make when observing human actions.

Dr Wyer said, “This suggests that context matters. Even our non-humanoid robot Cozmo could be perceived as more human-like and less like a machine or tool after the participants had played a game with it.”

The study highlights that robots are increasingly appearing in homes, hospitals, and workplaces. How people relate to them could depend heavily on early interactions.

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