According to new study robots might be able to sense human emotions by simply touching their skin

Researchers have uncovered a way for robots of the future to potentially sense human emotions through touch, using the skin’s electrical properties. A recent study published in IEEE Access highlights how skin conductance, a measure of how well the skin conducts electricity, could provide insights into an individual’s emotional state. Changes in skin conductance are influenced by sweat secretion and nerve activity, which are closely tied to emotional responses.

Traditional methods of detecting emotions, such as analyzing facial expressions or speech, often fall short in less-than-ideal conditions. Scientists believe that measuring skin conductance offers a more reliable, non-invasive alternative for real-time emotion detection.

The study involved 33 participants, whose emotional reactions were observed while they watched emotionally charged videos. Their skin conductance readings revealed unique patterns for different emotions. For instance, fear responses lasted the longest, likely due to their evolutionary importance in signaling danger. Emotions associated with family bonding, which blend happiness and sadness, had slower response times, while humor prompted quick but short-lived reactions. The researchers noted that these findings shed light on the distinct dynamics of skin conductance in relation to various emotions, an area that has been underexplored until now.

This method relies on the principle that emotional stimuli activate sweat glands, altering the skin’s electrical properties. While the technique is not flawless, integrating it with other physiological measurements, such as heart rate or brain activity, could enhance its accuracy. The researchers emphasize the growing need for technologies capable of interpreting subjective human experiences through physiological signals, paving the way for emotionally intelligent services.

This discovery could have profound implications for human-robot interactions. By recognizing subtle physiological cues, robots may not only interact with humans but also empathize with their emotional states, fostering deeper and more intuitive connections between humans and machines.