Researchers estimate that our body language can make up between 50-80% of communication. This means that robots won’t be ready to take on caregiver and companion duties until they get a good feel for nonverbal expression.

The FEELIX GROWING project, funded by the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Commissionis, is aiming to develop robots with a working knowledge of human body language based on people’s facial expressions. One of the project goals hopes to make the robot suitable for performing some caregiver and nursing duties.

“The robots possess artificial neural networks and a sophisticated array of cameras and sensors. In theory, this could allow a robot to monitor the emotional status of its human companions, and tailor its behavior accordingly. Depending on what responses it has received from different people in the past, it could take unique approaches to individuals, in an effort to minimize fear or discomfort. As well as being better suited to tasks where monitoring the well-being of humans is pivotal (for example, babysitting or nursing), the emotion-savvy robots could also be more easily accepted by people in general.”

A fascinating concept and possibly a hint of things to come. You can read the entire post at Gizmag.