# Facial Tracking Feeding Arms The 'Arm-A-Dine' is Being Used to Investigate Social Eating By Justin Lam | Published 2018-11-24 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/armadine References: [boingboing.net](https://boingboing.net/2018/11/20/diners-use-chest-mounted-robot.html) & [theverge](https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2018/11/22/18107810/robot-feeding-arm-chest-mounted-social-augmented-eating) Developed by researchers from Australia's [RMIT University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rmit-futures-series), the 'Arm-A-Dine' is a unique robotic third arm worn in the middle of the chest. While most robotic arms are developed to help better perform tasks, the 'Arm-A-Din' turns into a game of sorts as wearers are tasked with using the robotic arm to feed partners standing across from them. This may sound fairly simple but the arm isn't operated with a controller and instead functions based off a person's facial expressions. The ultimate goal of the 'Arm-A-Dine' isn't to completely change the way we eat but instead to study the social experience of eating. This research would then go to help better understand the [loneliness epidemic](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourier-g3) and may be used to combat this issue with robotics as a catalyst. Image Credit: RMIT University ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 8% | Activity: 23% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Facial Tracking Robotics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity lies in developing facial tracking technology for various applications beyond social eating. - **Social Robotics:** The 'Arm-A-Dine' highlights the potential of using robotics to improve social interactions and combat loneliness. - **Human-machine Interaction:** Exploring new ways of controlling robots through facial expressions presents opportunities for enhancing collaboration and user experience. ### Where This Applies - **Hospitality:** The 'Arm-A-Dine' could be applied in the hospitality industry to enhance dining experiences and create a unique social atmosphere. - **Mental Health:** The research behind the 'Arm-A-Dine' has implications for the mental health industry, as robotics can help address issues of isolation and loneliness. - **Entertainment:** Using facial tracking robotics could create immersive and interactive experiences in the entertainment industry, transforming how we engage with games and virtual reality. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI-Powered Robot Arms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/university-of-edinburgh.md) - [Wearable Robotic Limb Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jizai-arms.md) - [Upper-Limb Wearable Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sleev-1.md) - [AI-Powered Prosthetic Arms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-prosthetic-arm.md) - [AI-Powered Robotic Arms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-robot-arm.md) - [Motion Tracking Eye Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magtrack.md) - [Four-Armed Surgical Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourarmed-surgical-robots.md) - [Expressive Lip-Syncing Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emo-robot-1.md) - [Mind-Controlled Artificial Arms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-prosthetic-arm.md)