Understanding Reactions in Human‐Robot Encounters with Autonomous Quadruped Robots

ABSTRACT Incidental human‐robot encounters are becoming more common as robotic technologies proliferate, but there is little scientific understanding of human experience and reactions during these encounters. To contribute towards addressing this gap, this study applies Grounded Theory methodologies to study human reactions in Human‐Robot Encounters with an autonomous quadruped robot. Based upon observation and interviews, we find that participants' reactions to the robot can be explained by their attitudes of familiarity, certainty, and confidence during their encounter and by their understanding of the robot's capabilities and role. Participants differed in how and whether they utilized opportunities to resolve their unfamiliarity, uncertainty, or lack of confidence, shedding light on the dynamics and experiential characteristics of Human‐Robot Encounters. We provide an emerging theory that can be used to unravel the complexity of the field as well as assist hypothesis generation in future research in designing and deploying mobile autonomous service robots.