Not all sizes matter. The perception of robots' age and mental abilities based on their physical dimensions

The study analyses differences in the perception of age and mental abilities of robots displayed as 3D models in an immersive VR room (CAVE), manipulating anthropomorphic variables such as height, head dimension, and limb length. Participants (N = 122) were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions where they interacted with a robot with a different combination of physical dimensions. After the interaction, participants had to fill in a post-test questionnaire where they were assessed for their tendency to anthropomorphise and their AI knowledge. The results show that different combinations of physical appearance of the robots affect the perception of their age. In particular, the combination of robot size and parts dimension influences age perception but not the mental characteristics of the robots. These results might have implication for developing robots for specific functions, such child care or support in study activities.