Interaction Design of a Small Robot for Loose Facilitation

Abstract

Lively discussion in meetings requires facilitation such as equalizing participants' opportunities to speak. However, prompting a specific speaker by name to equalize speaking opportunities creates tension not only for the person named but also for the other participants. In this study, multiple small robots approach participants who speak less, as if wanting to listen to them, aiming for moderate facilitation that encourages voluntary remarks without creating tension. This paper introduces several interaction methods designed toward this goal.