Effects of Perceived Robot Autonomy and Personal Differences on Trust in Human-Robot Interactions

Trust is essential in human-robot interaction (HRI), yet the role of various factors shaping trust remains complex. This study investigated how perceived robot autonomy and individual user traits influence trust. Participants interacted with a Pepper robot in one of two conditions differing in the manipulation of perceived autonomy. Results showed that perceived autonomy affected ratings of the robot’s sincerity, but did not significantly affect other trust dimensions. Participants’ pre-existing attitudes toward robots were associated with trust perceptions, while personality traits showed no significant influence. These findings suggest that user attitudes may play a more critical role than perceived autonomy in shaping trust during short-term HRI, underscoring the need to personalise robot design based on attitudinal differences.