Intention Coordination and Trust Building in Dynamic Embodied Human-Robot Collaboration: A Neurocognitive Perspective

Authors

  • James Wilson *

    Department of Computer Science and Robotics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, United Kingdom

Keywords:

Embodied Intelligence; Human-Robot Collaboration; Cognitive Alignment; Neurocognitive Mechanisms; Inter-Brain Synchronization; Predictive Coding

Abstract

Against global population aging, embodied robots are widely applied in elderly care, where affective trust and adaptive collaboration are vital. Elderly-assisted human-robot collaboration (HRC) faces unique challenges like declining cognitive-motor abilities and high emotional demands, yet the neurocognitive mechanisms linking robot embodied adaptation and affective trust remain unclear. This study combined behavioral experiments, fNIRS and EEG to explore this basis via a perturbed daily assistance task, comparing adaptive affective embodied intelligent (AEI) and preprogrammed robots. Behavioral results showed AEI robots improved collaboration smoothness (32.6%), affective trust (41.3%) and reduced fatigue (27.8%). Neurocognitive data indicated enhanced alpha-gamma inter-brain synchronization (IPL/STS) and elevated HbO levels (VMPFC/ACC) in the AEI group; alpha-gamma IBS fully mediated robot type-trust relationship (63.5% effect). These findings guide elderly-friendly robot design.

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Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (December 2025)

Section

Articles