A modular cognitive model of socially embedded robot partners for information support

The purpose of this research is the development of a robot partner system based on modular cognitive model for human support. In order to implement information support of daily life to human, smooth human–robot interaction is needed. The interaction with a robot partner requires many elements including verbal communication, non-verbal communication, and embodiment as well. These modular structures are used in our robot partner system named “iPhonoid-C”. In this paper, we propose a Cognitive–Emotional–Behavioral (C–E–B) model derived from current research in cognitive science to realize the robot’s personal features leading to a socially embedded robot partner. C–E–B model is integrated with the modular cognitive system of the robot partner. Therefore, given the integration, the robot partner is able to exhibit a wide variety of interactions with the user, depending on the environmental factors as well as relationships between the cognitive modules and the C–E–B model.