Robin, An Empathic Virtual Buddy For Social Support

Robin, an Empathic Virtual Buddy for Social Support

Janneke van der Zwaan, Virginia Dignum, andCatholijn Jonker

Challenge the futureDelftUniversity ofTechnology

This is Robin. Robin provides emotional support and practical advice to victims of cyberbullying.

This image represents Robin. Robin is able to display different facial expressions.

For example,ContentHappyAngryFrustratedSadSurprised

This window shows the message history.

The user communicates with Robin by selecting pre-defined response options.

In order to understand, comfort and suggest actions to the user, Robin combines a conversation and an emotional model.

Conversation modelThe conversation model specifies that the conversation consists of 5 phases.12345

Conversation modelIt also specifies the topics that are discussed during each phase.12345HelloEventEmotional stateCoping currentConver-sationobjectiveCoping futureAdviceBye

Emotional modelThe emotional model determines when Robin expresses sympathy, encouragement or compliments the user.

Emotional modelIt is based on the OCC model.

Emotional modelResponse options are interpreted as actions or events.

Emotional modelAn action or event triggers an OCC emotion type.

Emotional modelThis emotion type is added to the current emotional state.

Emotional modelAnd subsequently expressed both verbally and nonverbally.

Emotional modelNot all response options trigger emotions.

Emotional modelIf a response option does not trigger an emotion, the current emotional state is decayed to neutral.

Emotional modelNext, the facial expression is updated to reflect the current emotional state.

Now, back to Robin

Imagine you are Tom, a 14 year old that likes to talk to people via Instant Messaging (IM).

Youve just added a new contact and then the following happens

If you feel upset, you can talk to Robin.

Phase 1: WelcomeRobin greets the user

Phase 2: Gather informationRobin asks questionsThe user answers

Phase 2: Gather informationRobin asks: how are you being bullied?The user answers: Im being called names

The user answers: Im being called namesBeing called names is an undesirable event.

The user answers: Im being called namesBeing called names is an undesirable event. I focus on the consequences for Tom.

The user answers: Im being called namesBeing called names is an undesirable event. I focus on the consequences for Tom. I feel sorry for Tom.

The virtual buddy decides to express sympathy.

Robin changes its facial expression to sadThe virtual buddy decides to express sympathy.

And says: Im sorry youre being called names!Robin changes its facial expression to sadThe virtual buddy decides to express sympathy.

As he asks the next question,

Robins emotional state decays to neutral

Next, Robin asks the user how he feelsTo answer this question, the AffectButton appears

By moving the mouse cursor over the AffectButton, different facial expressions are displayed

By moving the mouse cursor over the AffectButton, different facial expressions are displayed, such as

The user selects the face that best matches his emotional state.

By moving the mouse cursor over the AffectButton, different facial expressions are displayed, such as

The user selects the face that best matches his emotional state.

Robin mirrors the emotional expressionAnd verbally expresses sympathy

The conversation continues

The conversation continues and at appropriate times Robin expresses emotions both verbally and nonverbally.

Robin is happy, because the user said he stood up to the bullyTherefore, it compliments the user

Robin expresses sympathy, because standing up to the bully didnt stop the bullying

Robin asks how it can help the userThe response options are: I want to tell my story and I want tipsPhase 3: Conversation objective

The user selects I want tipsPhase 3: Conversation objectiveRobin asks how it can help the user

Robin suggests actions to deal with the bullyingPhase 4: Advice

And asks the user to choose the one he likes bestPhase 4: Advice

The user selects one of the optionsPhase 4: Advice

And Robin comments on this option

Next, Robin introduces the tipsThis is the first tipThe user has to confirm each tip by clicking okay

The next tip (block the contact on MSN) requires technical know-howSo, after the user confirms the tip

Robin asks the user whether he wants an explanation of how to block a contact on MSNThe user selects yes

The user selects yesRobin explains the first stepAnd waits for confirmation

Robin explains the next step

Until the explanation is complete

After announcing this was the final tip

Robin closes the conversation by saying goodbyePhase 5: Round off

DisclaimerThe virtual buddy should be seen as an additional, accessible support channel.

It is not a solution for the problem of cyberbullying.Also, Robin is not intended as a replacement for professional help or human support.

We need your expertise!We are planning to build an extended prototype.

Help us by leaving feedback on what existing components we might reuse.

Please fill out the form.

AcknowledgmentsThis research project is funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) under the Responsible Innovation (MVI) programme.

Thank you for your attention!