New Delhi: A new study has found that when we make eye contact is just as important as how we do it — and this applies not only to people, but also to robots.
The research was done by scientists at Flinders University in Australia, led by Dr. Nathan Caruana from the HAVIC Lab (Human, Artificial + Virtual Interactive Cognition). The team wanted to better understand how eye contact works in conversations and how it can be used to improve communication with both humans and machines.
In the study, 137 people were asked to take part in a series of experiments. The researchers found that a specific pattern of eye movements was the most effective way to silently ask for help. That pattern was:
First, look at an object,
Then, make eye contact with someone,
And finally, look back at the object.
This simple sequence sent a clear signal: “Can you help me with this?” What’s even more interesting is that people responded in the same way whether the eye contact came from a human or a robot.
Dr. Caruana explained that people are naturally attuned to social signals, and that includes signals from machines that mimic human appearance and behaviour. He said, “It’s not just about making eye contact. The timing and context matter a lot.”
The study was published in Royal Society Open Science. It suggests that incorporating more human-like eye behaviour into robots and virtual assistants could enhance their ability to communicate effectively.
This research could also be helpful in busy or loud places like factories or sports fields. It may also support people who rely on visual signals to communicate, such as autistic individuals or those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The team is now studying how things like eye contact length, repetition, and whether people believe they’re talking to a human or robot affect communication.
