Exploring the role of embodiment on intimacy perception in a multiparty collaborative task

2026-03-13

AI Summary

This study investigates the impact of embodiment on perceived intimacy and group cohesion in multi-agent collaboration. Addressing the lack of systematic analysis linking embodied forms to social perception in existing research, we introduce a novel experimental paradigm grounded in human collaborative tabletop gameplay. By integrating behavioral data collection, multi-agent interaction experiments, and social perception assessments, this work establishes the first empirical connection between agent embodiment and users’ perceptions of intimacy and group cohesion in multi-agent systems. Our findings demonstrate that the embodied form of agents significantly influences users’ social perceptions and collaborative dynamics, offering critical insights and design challenges for the development of socially aware multi-agent systems.

Technology Category

• Multiagent Systems: Coordination and Collaboration
• Intelligent Robots: Embodied AI
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Social Cognition And Interaction

Application Category

• Semantics and Knowledge: Data modeling to support human-machine intelligence, including LLMs agents, intelligent system behavior, explanations, and user-friendly interactions
• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience

Abstract

During collaborative board games, cohesion represents a key aspect to define a well functionning group. From the success of the task to the developement of interpersonal relationship, this concept covers many aspects of group dynamics. The goal of our work is to investigate the factors that impact cohesion in a group, and specifically the relevant social skills that improve collaboration between multiple entities. In this article, we focus on the role of embodiement on different aspects of an interaction. We propose an experimental protocol, based on a collected corpus of humans playing a collaborative board game, to study how different agents' embodiment affect the perception of these agents and of the group as a whole. We conclude by presenting an outline of the problematics of the conception of the protocol and of multi-agent system related challenges.

Problem

• embodiment
• intimacy perception
• group cohesion
• collaborative task
• multi-agent interaction

Innovation

• embodiment
• group cohesion
• collaborative task
• social perception
• multi-agent system