Preferred Distance in Human–Drone Interaction

In two augmented-reality experiments, we transferred the paradigm of interpersonal distance regulation to human–drone interaction. In the first experiment, we used a simple spherical drone model and explored how both hovering height and approach angle affect the preferred distance. Drone height abov...

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Main Authors: Elisabeth Maria Wögerbauer, Christoph von Castell, Robin Welsch, Heiko Hecht
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Vision
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5150/8/4/59
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author Elisabeth Maria Wögerbauer
Christoph von Castell
Robin Welsch
Heiko Hecht
author_facet Elisabeth Maria Wögerbauer
Christoph von Castell
Robin Welsch
Heiko Hecht
author_sort Elisabeth Maria Wögerbauer
collection DOAJ
description In two augmented-reality experiments, we transferred the paradigm of interpersonal distance regulation to human–drone interaction. In the first experiment, we used a simple spherical drone model and explored how both hovering height and approach angle affect the preferred distance. Drone height above the ground had a strong effect. The preferred distance to the drone was larger than that typically found toward human actors, in particular, when the drone trajectory was very high. In the second experiment, we sought to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that may influence this effect. In addition to the simple spherical drone model used in the first experiment, we also varied its appearance and attachment to the ground. Surprisingly, anthropomorphic features increased preferred distances. We, therefore, discuss the extent to which social aspects and subjectively perceived danger influence the preferred distance for interaction with drones, which thus need to be considered in the design of human–drone interaction.
format Article
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institution DOAJ
issn 2411-5150
language English
publishDate 2024-10-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Vision
spelling doaj-art-efefc55089924bf8aae78c19ee9ed2a82025-08-20T02:43:49ZengMDPI AGVision2411-51502024-10-01845910.3390/vision8040059Preferred Distance in Human–Drone InteractionElisabeth Maria Wögerbauer0Christoph von Castell1Robin Welsch2Heiko Hecht3Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55122 Mainz, GermanyDepartment of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55122 Mainz, GermanyDepartment of Computer Science, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, FinlandDepartment of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55122 Mainz, GermanyIn two augmented-reality experiments, we transferred the paradigm of interpersonal distance regulation to human–drone interaction. In the first experiment, we used a simple spherical drone model and explored how both hovering height and approach angle affect the preferred distance. Drone height above the ground had a strong effect. The preferred distance to the drone was larger than that typically found toward human actors, in particular, when the drone trajectory was very high. In the second experiment, we sought to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that may influence this effect. In addition to the simple spherical drone model used in the first experiment, we also varied its appearance and attachment to the ground. Surprisingly, anthropomorphic features increased preferred distances. We, therefore, discuss the extent to which social aspects and subjectively perceived danger influence the preferred distance for interaction with drones, which thus need to be considered in the design of human–drone interaction.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5150/8/4/59human–drone interactioninterpersonal distancedrone appearancepersonal spaceproxemics
spellingShingle Elisabeth Maria Wögerbauer
Christoph von Castell
Robin Welsch
Heiko Hecht
Preferred Distance in Human–Drone Interaction
Vision
human–drone interaction
interpersonal distance
drone appearance
personal space
proxemics
title Preferred Distance in Human–Drone Interaction
title_full Preferred Distance in Human–Drone Interaction
title_fullStr Preferred Distance in Human–Drone Interaction
title_full_unstemmed Preferred Distance in Human–Drone Interaction
title_short Preferred Distance in Human–Drone Interaction
title_sort preferred distance in human drone interaction
topic human–drone interaction
interpersonal distance
drone appearance
personal space
proxemics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5150/8/4/59
work_keys_str_mv AT elisabethmariawogerbauer preferreddistanceinhumandroneinteraction
AT christophvoncastell preferreddistanceinhumandroneinteraction
AT robinwelsch preferreddistanceinhumandroneinteraction
AT heikohecht preferreddistanceinhumandroneinteraction