Interaction Situation
The user was confronted with a challenge and was not successful. In this situation the robot can make the failure especially obvious to the user, by demonstrating its own strength and superiority. This expression is not so much related to an actual feeling of dominance by the robot (that – as a machine – is not capable of experiencing emotions). Rather, it can be employed as a stylistic device. Unintuitive as such behavior might seem at first glance, it might be employed in situations where user and robot follow different goals or act as opponents. In these situations, dominant behavior of the robot might entertain or even motivate the user to perform better in the future.
Solution
Let the robot express that:
Dominance can be expressed through an upright posture and lifted head, causing the impression of pride or – depending of the robot’s size- that the robot is looking down on the user.
The expression of dominance can be supported by letting the robot show a hostile face.
Related patterns:
Needed by: Gloating negative feedback, Questioning good performance