Multiple modalities can boost accuracy in the difficult task of Sign Language Recognition (SLR), however, each modality does not necessarily contribute the same quality of information. Current multi-modal approaches assign the same importance weightings to each modality, or set weightings based on unproven heuristics. This paper takes a systematic approach to find the optimal weights by performing grid search. Firstly, we create a multi-modal version of the RGB only WLASL100 data with additional hand crop and skeletal pose modalities. Secondly, we create a 3D CNN based weighted multi-modal sign language network (WMSLRnet). Finally, we run various grid searches to find the optimal weightings for each modality. We show that very minor adjustments in the weightings can have major effects on the final SLR accuracy. On WLASL100, we significantly outperform previous networks of similar design, and achieve high accuracy in SLR without highly complex pre-training schemes or extra data.

Weighted Multi-Modal Sign Language Recognition

This study explores the effects of the positioning strategy of domestic social robots on the purchase intention of consumers. Specifically, the authors investigate the effects of robot positioning as companions with as assistants and as appliances. The study results showed that the participants preferred the domestic social robots positioned as assistants rather than as companions. Moreover, for male participants, the positioning of domestic social robots as appliances was also preferred over robots positioned as companions. The study results also showed that the effects of positioning on the purchase intention were mediated by the participants’ perception of usefulness regarding the robot.

Moving Away from 'robotic' Interactions: Evaluation of Empathy, Emotion and Sentiment Expressed and Detected by Computer Systems

WeAT1 - Social Human-Robot Interaction of Human-Care Service Robots: Exploring Foundation Models in Social Human-Robot Interaction

technical paper

[![](https://assets.underline.io/markdown_image/1/image/f25361a85b7c83a7476c0b3c1c0bb1b2.png)](https://drive.google.com/file/d/18jcAcciCBQHj6R07Dbpm2HCOBEIwAOCU/view?usp=sharing)


Dear Colleagues and Friends,

The 33rd IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, IEEE RO-MAN 2024, was held at Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, USA.

The theme of the IEEE RO-MAN 2024 was **“Embracing Human-Centered HRI”**.

With the continuous technological effort of understanding human needs, creating human-desired robotic systems, and developing real human user experiences, we are marching together towards building a promising and excellent human quality of life, all for our wellness and our next generation.

The conference provided a forum for researchers and practitioners to discuss a variety of topics related to the broad theme of Robot and Human Interactive Communication involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies, and generated more insights for the future of Robot and Human Interactive Communication!

We hope you continue to enjoy the post-conference content on Underline!

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Please [register here](https://www.ro-man2024.org/participation/registration).



Registration Is Required

IEEE RO-MAN 2024

The 33rd IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication was held in Pasadena, California, USA. The theme of the IEEE RO-MAN 2024 was “Embracing Human-Centered HRI”.

**Session Chairs: Antonio Sgorbissa, Ho Seok Ahn**

Long Session II: Social Human-Robot Interaction of Human-care Service Robots

**31st IEEE International Conference on Robot & Human Interactive Communication**
 This conference is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed.
 
 The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, ethics and policies, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome.
 
 **CONFERENCE THEME:**
 Social, asocial, and antisocial robots
 
 Robots are starting to populate our lives: at work, in our homes, hotels, shops. However, not everybody is comfortable with robots finding a place in society. For example, people may be afraid that robots will replace humans in their jobs. This belief is exacerbated by the media that, on one side, raise expectations of robots’ capabilities, while amplifying fears and worries on the other side.
 
 In the next years, due to the increasing request for interaction with people in social environments, academic research and market analyses predict that robots will become more and more “social”. But, at the same time, robots may incur the risk of being perceived as “asocial” as their pervasiveness in everyday environments may become an obstacle to social interaction between humans. Or they may even be rejected as “antisocial” if researchers do not take care to develop robots that behave according to the customs and habits of the communities where they are expected to operate.
 
 To prevent this from happening, robotic researchers can no longer take the luxury of being mere technicians. They must be capable of addressing all the challenges raised by future robot-populated communities in a multidisciplinary way. They need to share their knowledge with the public to make people aware of what robots really are, what expectations we can have from them, the risks we may incur, and the possible mitigation plans.
 
 While being open to any kind of contribution related to Human-Robot Interactive Communication, the RO-MAN 2022 conference will emphasize these aspects of robotic research. How can we create robots capable of being welcomed as our assistants and companions in society while, at the same time, not being perceived as “asocial” or “antisocial?” How can we create robots perceived as facilitators of the natural development of human beings and communities, rather than obstacles?
 
 Contributions from different disciplines, not exclusively related to technological development, will be welcomed as crucial to pave the way to global acceptance of future robots with an informed attitude.
 
 [![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/af259abe105b3791c498ae1552d75710.png)](https://drive.google.com/file/d/18w73BZPB_JVOgcrcdZDqYpEupwVt4CnU/view?usp=sharing)

A registration is required to access this event page. If you have not already done so, please use the below link to register for the event. 

[Register Here](http://www.smile.unina.it/ro-man2022/welcome-to-ieee-ro-man-2022/)

IEEE RO-MAN 2022

31st IEEE International Conference on Robot & Human Interactive Communication
This conference is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed.

Ho Seok Ahn

2

Presentations

Weighted Multi-Modal Sign Language Recognition

Moving Away from 'robotic' Interactions: Evaluation of Empathy, Emotion and Sentiment Expressed and Detected by Computer Systems

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