Understanding Cultural Preferences for Social Robots

This article presents a study of cultural differences affecting the acceptance and design preferences social robots. Based on survey with 794 participants from Germany three Arab countries Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, we discuss how culture influences for certain attributes. We look at roles, abilities appearance, emotional awareness interactivity robots, as well attitude toward automation. Preferences were found to differ not only across cultures, but also within similar backgrounds. Our findings show nuanced picture impact previously identified culturally variable factors, such attitudes traditions innovations. While participants’ perspectives innovations varied, these factors did fully account variations in their perceptions In conclusion, believe that more real-life practices emerging situated use robots should be investigated. Besides focusing broader values those associated religion traditions, future studies examine users interact, or avoid interaction, specific contexts use.