Designing character for Amazon's Astro robot: lessons for embodied AI

Amazon's Astro robot was designed to have its own distinct character, not just be Alexa on wheels, a decision supported by user testing. The robot communicates through sound, motion, and facial expressions, with its character defined by story and sound design before animation. This approach aimed to create a more engaging and less "creepy" user experience. Developing robot character is crucial for embodied AI, requiring early definition of emotional range and adaptive responses, a process often overlooked in product development.