Research is being conducted at KTH with humanoid robots to study politeness as a cornerstone in shaping social interactions. (Photo: KTH) Politeness plays a crucial role in human interactions, whether in everyday life or within the healthcare setting. But what about when humans interact with service robots? Sahba Zojaji, a PhD student in computer engineering at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, delves into this question in his thesis titled “Embodying politeness in persuasive humanoid agents for small group scenarios.” According to Zojaji, human-robot relationships extend beyond mere politeness; they encompass creating interactions that feel natural, respectful, and empathetic. Achieving this involves integrating politeness into both verbal and non-verbal aspects of human-robot interactions. Zojaji has conducted several user studies using humanoid robots, which are robots designed with human-like features, to explore the role of politeness in shaping social interactions. The increasing prevalence of robots, particularly in healthcare settings, raises ethical concerns. In countries like Japan, robots are already assisting the elderly with tasks such as medication reminders and physical assistance. However, Zojaji emphasizes the need for …