Analysis of Social Smile Sharing Using a Wearable Device that Captures Distal Electromyographic Signals

Abstract

In this work we present a new way to analyze human facial expressions in social situations. We are able to record the smiling expressions of multiple subjects simultaneously using a wireless wearable device that records physiological signals and allows the subjects complete freedom of movement, both of head position and in their environment. We analize the correlation of facial expressions in two situations, in a conversation between two adults and between two children playing. This work shows an effective and automatic way to analize facial expressions quantitatively and continuously, without constraining the subjects. Possible applications lie in psychological analysis of humans, improvement of customer service, expression training and analysis of social interaction as well as to create a baseline of interaction that can be used in the future to fine-tune human interaction with artificial agents such as social avatars and robots.