A team of researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has developed a robot prototype that can mimic human-like emotions through its eyes and movements, demonstrating real-time emotional adaptation and lifelike interaction.

The research team, led by Professor Lee Hui-sung from the Department of Design at UNIST, unveiled the project on Sunday, highlighting its potential for social interaction, therapy, and educational applications.

The robot’s design allows it to react to stimuli—such as petting and tapping—by displaying six different emotions through changes in its eye shape, color, and movement patterns.

The robot’s response evolves over time, reducing its reaction to repeated stimuli, much like a human becoming desensitized to repeated actions. Stronger stimuli amplify the emotional response quickly, while weaker stimuli lead to slower changes.

“Our goal was to replicate the flow of human emotions rather than just fixed reactions,” the research team said.

According to surveys conducted by the team, 80 percent of participants found the robot’s emotional expressions to be natural and lively, enhancing its potential for real-world use.

Professor Lee emphasized that unlike conventional robots that simply display pre-programmed emotional states, this prototype’s ability to show emotional change makes it feel more like a living companion.

He noted that this technology could pave the way for advanced companion robots and other social applications.

The breakthrough was made possible by controlling the emotional flow of the robot over time, with the research team achieving high-resolution emotional transitions.

The research was presented at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) held in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 21.

“This technology enables robots to behave like humans who can be calmed or excited by repeated interactions,” Professor Lee explained. “We hope to see this applied in fields like healthcare, education, and beyond.”

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