Experiments with a robotic computer: Body, affect and cognition interactions

We present RoCo, the first robotic computer designed with the ability to move its monitor in subtly expressive ways that respond to and encourage its user´s own postural movement. We use RoCo in a novel user study to explore whether a computer´s “posture” can influence its user´s subsequent posture, and if the interaction of the user´s body state with their affective state during a task leads to improved task measures such as persistence in problem solving. We believe this is possible in light of new theories that link physical posture and its influence on affect and cognition. Initial results with 71 subjects support the hypothesis that RoCo´s posture not only manipulates the user´s posture, but also is associated with hypothesized posture-affect interactions. Specifically, we found effects on increased persistence on a subsequent cognitive task, and effects on perceived level of comfort.