Chimpanzees 'Catch' Yawns from Android Robot

Chimpanzees ‘caught a yawn’ from this robot and researchers aren’t sure why

'To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore contagious yawning in response to an inanimate agent.'

Chimps ‘catch’ yawns from a robot — and think it’s time for a rest

Why are yawns contagious? Scientists address the question by testing whether a chimpanzee can be set off by a tired-looking android, with surprising results

Chimpanzees Catch Yawns From Androids In Breakthrough For Contagious Yawning Research

Upon seeing an android head let one rip, chimps started gathering bedding materials.

Chimpanzees yawn when observing an android yawn - Scientific Reports

This study explores contagious yawning in adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in the presence of a non-biological humanoid agent, an android. Chimpanzees observed an android portraying specific facial expressions, including yawns and gapes. The results showed that adult chimpanzees exhibited across-agent yawn contagion, with a graded response: the highest contagion occurred when the android displayed a fully wide-open mouth (Yawn condition), a r…

Scientists perplexed to find chimpanzees can ‘catch’ yawns – even from robots

Chimps yawned and lay down in response to yawns made by an android robot

Chimpanzees can catch yawns from androids

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) can "catch" yawns from an android imitating human facial expressions, according to new research from City St George's, University of London.