Through Human Eye: Can a Robot Possess a Sense of Self?

In recent years, there has been significant progress in developing service robots for various settings, prompting a need to examine user--robot interactions. This paper investigates how implementing specific self-characteristics in non-humanoid robots influences user perception. We propose a return to fundamental self-aspects to understand their impact on robot perception. The study examines five fundamental attributes of selfhood (causality, equifinality, behavioral efficiency, learning sensitivity, context sensitivity) and their influence on user perception, utilizing a vehicle-like Duckiebot robot in a controlled experimental setting. By simplifying the complexity of selfhood into manageable traits, we aim to streamline robot development for smoother integration into diverse environments. Our ongoing research aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of human--robot interactions and the development of user-friendly robotic systems that foster positive, trustworthy user experiences.