Gender characteristics of service robots can influence customer decisions
Briefly

Research from the Penn State School of Hospitality Management reveals that service robots can strategically use gender characteristics to sway customer decisions. The study suggests that male-portrayed robots are more persuasive to women with a low sense of power, while robots with 'cute' features tend to lessen gender impacts, appealing similarly to all customers. Featuring both human-like traits and gender perceptions, the findings illustrate how design can optimize service interactions. This research underscores the importance of psychology in human-robot interactions in the hospitality industry, potentially enhancing customer experiences.
"In addition to robot gender, a consumer's sense of power -- how individuals perceive their ability to influence others or their environment -- can also affect how successful a service robot can be in making recommendations."
"Robots can be designed or programmed to have human-like features like names, voices and body shapes, which portray gender," Mattila said.
Read at ScienceDaily
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