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What does "Addressee Estimation" mean?

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Addressee estimation is the ability to figure out who someone is talking to in a conversation. This skill is important for robots that want to interact with people in social settings. When a robot can understand who is being addressed, it can respond more appropriately and engage better with people.

Importance in Human-Robot Interaction

In situations where multiple people are talking, it's crucial for a robot to know who its focus should be. This ability helps the robot participate in discussions naturally, making it feel more like a social member of the group. A robot that can understand the dynamics of conversation is more likely to be accepted by humans.

How It Works

To determine who is being addressed, robots can use various clues from the speaker's body language and facial expressions. By analyzing these non-verbal signals, the robot can gain a better understanding of the conversation. Advanced technology, such as deep learning, allows robots to process images of people's faces and their body positions to make accurate guesses about who is being spoken to.

Building Trust Through Explainability

For a robot to gain people's trust, it is important for it to be open about how it makes decisions. By providing explanations for its actions, such as why it thinks a certain person is being addressed, the robot can create a sense of transparency. This openness helps humans feel more comfortable interacting with the robot.

Applications

With the ability to estimate addressees, robots can improve their communication skills and become more effective in social roles. This capability opens up new possibilities for using robots in homes, offices, and other environments where they can assist people while understanding their social cues.

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