Alle Publikationen
2019
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(2019): Can We Keep Him Forever? Teens’ Engagement and Desire for Emotional Connection with a Social Robot. In: International Journal of Social Robotics 17 (1). DOI: 10.1007/s12369-019-00539-6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-019-00539-6 Abstract: Today’s teens will most likely be the first generation to spend a lifetime living and interacting with both mechanical and social robots. Although human–robot interaction has been explored in children, adults, and seniors, examination of teen–robot interaction has been limited. In this paper, we provide evidence that teen–robot interaction is a unique area of inquiry and designing for teens is categorically different from other types of human–robot interaction. Using human-centered design, our team is developing a social robot to gather stress and mood data from teens in a public high school. To better understand teen–robot interaction, we conducted an interaction study in the wild to explore and capture teens’ interactions with a low-fidelity social robot prototype. Then, through group interviews we gathered data regarding their perceptions about social robots. Although we anticipated minimal engagement due to the low fidelity of our prototype, teens showed strong engagement and lengthy interactions. Additionally, teens expressed thoughtful articulations of how a social robot could be emotionally supportive. We conclude the paper by discussing future areas for consideration when designing for teen–robot interaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2019): The Social Pragmatics of Communication with Social Robots: Effects of Robot Message Design Logic in a Regulative Context. In: International Journal of Social Robotics 25 (6). DOI: 10.1007/s12369-019-00538-7
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-019-00538-7 Abstract: When social robots are used in communicative contexts, the norms, values, and expectations associated with the process of communication itself are important considerations. Message design logics (MDL) are working models of communication that lead to distinct ways of thinking about communication situations and reasoning from goals to messages. The three MDLs are expressive, conventional, and rhetorical. Respectively, they treat communication as a vehicle for the transmission of information, a game to be played cooperatively according to social norms, and the creation and negotiation of social selves and situations. In human communication, there is an observed preference for partners and messages that display the most sophisticated rhetorical MDL. The purpose of this study was to test/extend the theory of MDL and communication pragmatics in HRI. An online between-subjects experiment of 511 U.S. American adults was conducted to determine the effects of a social robot’s MDL and goal structure on people’s evaluations of the message and its source in a hypothetical regulative context, or a situation in which one individual is faced with the need to control or correct the behavior of another. Results demonstrated that rhetorical message designs led to the most positive impressions of the robot in terms of predicted communication success, goal-relevant attributes (ability to motivate and provide face support), competence, credibility, and attractiveness. Findings mirror results in earlier studies of human communication establishing an MDL sophistication advantage in communication dilemmas. Analysis of qualitative responses showed that participants understood the robot’s overall communication pragmatic differently on the basis of the MDL it demonstrated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2019): Initial expectations, interactions, and beyond with social robots. In: Computers in Human Behavior 90, S. 308-314. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2018.08.042
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.08.042 Abstract: The current study builds upon our previous research on the human-to-human interaction script, which suggests that people expect to interact with other humans when encountering an initial interaction. This expectation impacts the initial impressions people have when interacting with social robots. The current experiment examined how short interactions might change those initial impressions. Participants were less uncertain and perceived greater social presence after a single brief interaction with a humanoid social robot. Social presence decreased after a short interaction with a human. These data suggest that initial impressions based on the human-to-human interaction script may impact actual interaction and the impressions that result from it. Open-ended responses suggest the potential for hyperpersonal communication in human-robot interaction. These findings are further discussed, as are limitations and directions for future research. The paper concludes with an agenda for applying constructivist interpersonal communication frameworks to human-robot interaction studies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2019): Evaluations of an artificial intelligence instructor's voice: Social Identity Theory in human-robot interactions. In: Computers in Human Behavior 90, S. 357-362. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2018.08.027
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.08.027 Abstract: This study employs the Computers are Social Actors (CASA) paradigm to extend the predictions of Social Identity Theory (SIT) to human-robot interaction (HRI) in the context of instructional communication. SIT posits that individuals gain a sense of personal worth from the groups with which they identify. Previous research has demonstrated that age group identification is meaningful to individuals’ self-concepts. Results demonstrated that higher age identified students rated the older A.I. voice instructor (representing an out-group member) higher for credibility and social presence and reported more motivation to learn than those students with low age identification. Implications are discussed for SIT and design features of computerized voices. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2019): Voices in and of the machine: Source orientation toward mobile virtual assistants. In: Computers in Human Behavior 90, S. 343-350. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2018.08.009
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.08.009 Abstract: Research regarding source orientation has demonstrated that when interacting with computers, people direct their communication toward and react toward the technology itself. Users perceive technology to be a source in human-machine communication (HMC). This study provides a new dimension to those findings with regard to source orientation with voice-based, mobile virtual assistants enabled by artificial intelligence (AI). In qualitative interviews regarding their conceptualizations of mobile conversational agents (Apple's Siri, Google Voice, Samsung S-Voice) and their perceptions of interactions with these specific technologies, some participants describe the agent they can hear but not see as a voice in the mobile phone (assistant as distinct entity) while others perceive the technology that they command to be the voice of the phone (assistant as the device). Therefore, congruent with existing research, users of mobile assistants orient toward a technology, instead of thinking they are interacting with a human, but, in contrast to existing research, attend to different technologies. When technologies possess a disembodied voice and are designed with various social cues and degrees of intelligence, the locus and nature of the digital interlocutor is not uniform in people's minds. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2019): User-Adaptive Interaction in Social Robots: A Survey Focusing on Non-physical Interaction. In: International Journal of Social Robotics 11 (1), S. 185-205. DOI: 10.1007/s12369-018-0485-4
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-018-0485-4 Abstract: This work presents a survey on the usage of user-adaptive techniques for human interface with Social Robots, with focus on non-physical interaction. The work is based on an analysis of a number of recent scientific works, and aims to uncover existing scientific and technological gaps which can serve as basis for future research and development work. User-adaptive systems consist of autonomous agents that are able to use some manner of information on their user in order to adapt to them. Through their adaptive nature, these systems have been shown to be easier to accept by end-users, and to lead to improvements in a myriad of objective and subjective performance measurements. Thus, in the context of a growing domestic Social Robot industry, it becomes of key importance to study the scientific and technological frontiers of this field. In order to uncover potential lines of future research, we propose a taxonomy for the classification of works, which we use to analyse the works under survey, exposing the current scientific frontiers of the area. Aiming to establish the overall readiness of the field, we also analyse the maturity of the works under survey, exposing the current technological level of the techniques at hand and discussing a number of technological challenges. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2019): Social Touch in Human–Robot Interaction: Robot-Initiated Touches can Induce Positive Responses without Extensive Prior Bonding. In: International Journal of Social Robotics 11 (2), S. 285-304. DOI: 10.1007/s12369-018-0500-9
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-018-0500-9 Abstract: Social touch interactions can, depending on the type and strength of the dyadic social relationship, elicit a plethora of physiological, emotional, and behavioral responses; both beneficial and disadvantageous. With the intention to expand the communicative capabilities of humanoid social robots, we investigated whether robot-initiated touches could elicit beneficial responses in the human user that are comparable to responses to human touch. In addition, we investigated whether having a pre-existing positive social bond with the robot modulates these responses. To this end, we conducted a $$2 \times 2$$ 2×2 between subjects experiment (N = 67) in which participants either did or did not establish a bond with the robot prior to interacting with it during stressful circumstances. This interaction either did or did not comprise robot-initiated touches. We hypothesized that robotic touches would attenuate the subjective and physiological stress responses during the stressful event (H1a), enhance the perceived relation with the robot (H1b), and increase one’s pro-social behavior (H1c), as contrasted with interactions without touch. Based on findings from human touch, we also expected that the effects of H1a and H1b would be more outspoken when a bond with the robot was established (H2). Our findings imply that robotic touches attenuated physiological stress responses and increased the perceived intimacy of the human–robot bond. No effects were found on pro-social behavior and all effects were independent of whether a bond was formed or not. Although no full support for our hypotheses was found, the findings suggest that robot-initiated touch can, under specific circumstances, be a valuable extension of a social robot’s nonverbal communication repertoire. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2019): Mutual Shaping in the Design of Socially Assistive Robots: A Case Study on Social Robots for Therapy. In: International Journal of Social Robotics 18 (1). DOI: 10.1007/s12369-019-00536-9
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-019-00536-9 Abstract: This paper offers a case study in undertaking a mutual shaping approach to the design of socially assistive robots. We consider the use of social robots in therapy, and we present our results regarding this application, but the approach is generalisable. Our methodology combines elements of user-centered and participatory design with a focus on mutual learning. We present it in full alongside a more general guide for application to other areas. This approach led to valuable results concerning mutual shaping effects and societal factors regarding the use of such robots early in the design process. We also measured a significant shift in participant robot acceptance pre-/post-study, demonstrating that our approach led to the two-way sharing and shaping of knowledge, ideas and acceptance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
2018
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(2018) : Embedding Ethics in the Design of Culturally Competent Socially Assistive Robots: 2018 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS): 2018 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS): Madrid: 10/1/2018 - 10/5/2018: Madrid, Spain: IEEE, S. 1996-2001
Abstract: Research focusing on the development of socially assistive robots (SARs) for the care of older adults has grown in recent years, prompting a great deal of ethical analysis and reflection on the future of SARs in caring roles. Much of this ethical thinking, however, has taken place far from the settings where technological innovation is practiced. Different frameworks have been proposed to bridge this gap and enable researchers to handle the ethical dimension of technology from within the design and development process, including Value Sensitive Design (VSD). VSD has been defined as a “theoretically grounded approach to the design of technology that accounts for human values in a principled and comprehensive manner throughout the design process”. Inspired in part by VSD, we have developed a process geared towards embedding ethics at the core of CARESSES, an international multidisciplinary project that aims to design the first culturally competent SAR for the care of older adults. Here we describe that process, which included extracting key ethical concepts from relevant ethical guidelines and applying those concepts to scenarios that describe how the CARESSES robot will interact with individuals belonging to different cultures. This approach highlights the ethical implications of the robot's behavior early in the design process, thus enabling researchers to identify and engage with ethical problems proactively.
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(2018): Guidelines for Designing Social Robots as Second Language Tutors. In: International Journal of Social Robotics 10 (3), S. 325-341. DOI: 10.1007/s12369-018-0467-6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-018-0467-6 Abstract: In recent years, it has been suggested that social robots have potential as tutors and educators for both children and adults. While robots have been shown to be effective in teaching knowledge and skill-based topics, we wish to explore how social robots can be used to tutor a second language to young children. As language learning relies on situated, grounded and social learning, in which interaction and repeated practice are central, social robots hold promise as educational tools for supporting second language learning. This paper surveys the developmental psychology of second language learning and suggests an agenda to study how core concepts of second language learning can be taught by a social robot. It suggests guidelines for designing robot tutors based on observations of second language learning in human-human scenarios, various technical aspects and early studies regarding the effectiveness of social robots as second language tutors.
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(2018): The influence of social cues in persuasive social robots on psychological reactance and compliance. In: Computers in Human Behavior 87, S. 58-65. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2018.05.016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.05.016 Abstract: People can react negatively to persuasive attempts experiencing reactance, which gives rise to negative feelings and thoughts and may reduce compliance. This research examines social responses towards persuasive social agents. We present a laboratory experiment which assessed reactance and compliance to persuasive attempts delivered by an artificial (non-robotic) social agent, a social robot with minimal social cues (human-like face with speech output and blinking eyes), and a social robot with enhanced social cues (human-like face with head movement, facial expression, affective intonation of speech output). Our results suggest that a social robot presenting more social cues will cause higher reactance and this effect is stronger when the user feels involved in the task at hand. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2018) : Knowledge to design an assistant robotics system for aged people: Proceedings 2018 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT): Lyon Congress Center, Lyon, France, 19 - 22 February, 2018: 2018 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT): Lyon: 2/20/2018 - 2/22/2018. IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; IEEE Industrial Electronics Society; Icit: Piscataway, NJ: IEEE, S. 1985-1990
Abstract: In this paper, authors based on data of questionnaire to discuss, according to discussion results to suggest appearance/function to robotics and its support system for aged people. This research uses people's familiar view, and targets to make robotics help/assist people rather than let people feel disturb. The basic data for our research is collected by questionnaire. The questionnaire is constructed by several items that include people's background data and the trend of using electronic equipment. These items help construct different clusters and the robot's image that aged people imaged. In this paper, people's different needs and situations are discussed. Data analysis and data mining are applied. From the research results, aged people's opinions, their ideal robot/robotics' image become clear, furthermore, the possibility appearance/function of robot/robotics and its support system are given sharp. This paper is a self-criticism research to developed robot and robotic system, hoping find a new way on this researching area and developing a better assistant robot for aged people.
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(2018): Do a robot's social skills and its objection discourage interactants from switching the robot off?. In: PLoS one 13 (7). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201581
DOI: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30063750 Abstract: Building on the notion that people respond to media as if they were real, switching off a robot which exhibits lifelike behavior implies an interesting situation. In an experimental lab study with a 2x2 between-subjects-design (N = 85), people were given the choice to switch off a robot with which they had just interacted. The style of the interaction was either social (mimicking human behavior) or functional (displaying machinelike behavior). Additionally, the robot either voiced an objection against being switched off or it remained silent. Results show that participants rather let the robot stay switched on when the robot objected. After the functional interaction, people evaluated the robot as less likeable, which in turn led to a reduced stress experience after the switching off situation. Furthermore, individuals hesitated longest when they had experienced a functional interaction in combination with an objecting robot. This unexpected result might be due to the fact that the impression people had formed based on the task-focused behavior of the robot conflicted with the emotional nature of the objection.
Keywords: Adolescent, Adult, Artificial intelligence, Attitude, Biomimetic Materials, Electrical Equipment and Supplies, Emotions/physiology, Female, Fortschritt, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Mensch-Roboter-Interaktion, Motivation, Object Attachment, Robotics/instrumentation, Social Skills, User-Computer Interface, Young Adult -
(2018) : Nonverbal Human-Robot Communication for Ambient Assisted Living Applications Based on Ethologically Inspired Social Behavior Model: IECON 2018 - 44th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society: Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington D.C., United States of America, 20 - 23 October, 2018: IECON 2018 - 44th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society: D.C., DC, USA: 10/21/2018 - 10/23/2018. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society; Iecon: Piscataway, NJ: IEEE, S. 6045-6050
Abstract: In recent years, ambient assisted living (AAL) has studied and a demand for services that monitors living environments to reduce the burden of nursing care has increased. Therefore, we propose an approach of nonverbal human-robot communication for AAL applications based on an attachment behavior model for a mobile robot. This can sense the situation within the environment in real time with less burden on the user. We use an etho-robot as the user interface of an AAL system for useful monitoring services. The etho-robot mimics dogs' attachment behaviors and can provide less stressful communication between humans and robots. In addition, we design behavior for providing notification about a person's status for the etho-robot. The integration of a mobile robot as a user interface of the AAL system will make the communication spatially flexible. We conducted an experiment to evaluate whether humans can correctly recognize the attachment behavior of the etho-robot when the robot performs its notification function. We discuss the usefulness of mimicking a dog's attachment behavior when the robot has such a function.
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IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; IEEE Industrial Electronics Society; Icit (2018): Proceedings 2018 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT). Lyon Congress Center, Lyon, France, 19 - 22 February, 2018. 2018 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT). Lyon, 2/20/2018 - 2/22/2018. Piscataway, NJ: IEEE
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Ieee Isr; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; IEEE Robotics and Automation Society; International Conference on Intelligence and Safety for Robotics; Isr (2018): IEEE - ISR 2018. August 24-27, 2018, Shenyang, China : the 2018 International Conference on Intelligence and Safety for Robotics. 2018 IEEE International Conference on Intelligence and Safety for Robotics (ISR). Shenyang, 8/24/2018 - 8/27/2018. Piscataway, NJ: IEEE
Abstract: To tackle behavioral assistance for elderly care and disabled care in daily life, our laboratory rollout five welfare robots: walking support robot, walking rehabilitation robot, intelligent wheelchair robot, excretory support robot and handling robot. By integrating the multi-robots architecture and distributed sensor network, we proposes smart house which can be used for research in security assistance. Furthermore, aiming to implement the procedural assistance of rising and standing, transfer framework based on multi-robots architecture have been proposed. It aims to reduce the torso impact force and stabilize centre of gravity, establishing the rising transfer planning and standing transfer planning, combining with fall detection and rescue, which contributes to achieve secure and comfortable behavioral assistance in top-down way. Finally, we conducted experiments in our MWRA smart house to rising transfer, standing transfer, behavior assistance, fall detection and rescue. The experiments show MWRA have the auxiliary capabilities for ADLs(basic activities of daily living) and IADLs (instrumental activities of daily living), even EADLs(enhanced activities of daily living) in safety and comfortable way, which can be used in home, hospitals, rehabilitation center and other scenes for elderly care and disabled care.
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Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society; Iecon (2018): IECON 2018 - 44th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society. Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington D.C., United States of America, 20 - 23 October, 2018. IECON 2018 - 44th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society. D.C., DC, USA, 10/21/2018 - 10/23/2018. Piscataway, NJ: IEEE
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(2018): Social Robots for Early Language Learning: Current Evidence and Future Directions. In: Child Development Perspectives 12 (3), S. 146-151. DOI: 10.1111/cdep.12277
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12277 Abstract: In this article, we review research on child–robot interaction (CRI) to discuss how social robots can be used to scaffold language learning in young children. First we provide reasons why robots can be useful for teaching first and second languages to children. Then we review studies on CRI that used robots to help children learn vocabulary and produce language. The studies vary in first and second languages and demographics of the learners (typically developing children and children with hearing and communication impairments). We conclude that, although social robots are useful for teaching language to children, evidence suggests that robots are not as effective as human teachers. However, this conclusion is not definitive because robots that tutor students in language have not been evaluated rigorously and technology is advancing rapidly. We suggest that CRI offers an opportunity for research and list possible directions for that work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2018): Should we love robots? – The most liked qualities of companion dogs and how they can be implemented in social robots. In: Computers in Human Behavior 80, S. 132-142. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.11.002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.11.002 Abstract: In the future, robots may live with users as long-term companions, thus it is important that some sort of attachment relationship develop between humans and agents. Man's best friend the dog provides a model for investigating what makes a heterospecific companion a lovable social partner. Thus, we studied people's attitudes toward dogs and robots comparatively, with a special focus on those features in dogs that cause people to accept them in their homes and love them. Additionally, we explored from what kind of behaviors people infer these qualities. We found that people's attitude toward robots is much more negative than towards dogs. Having emotions, personality and showing attachment were the most frequently reported advantages of dogs. Respondents showed high agreement about the behavioral manifestation of these qualities, which are necessary for engineers to be able to implement such advantages into the social robots' programs. Based on our results, in the future roboticists may supply social robots with these preferred qualities, which will aid in the designing of successful social robots. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2018): Theory of mind and humanoid robots from a lifespan perspective. In: Zeitschrift für Psychologie 226 (2), S. 98-109. DOI: 10.1027/2151-2604/a000326
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1027/2151-2604/a000326 Abstract: This review focuses on some relevant issues concerning the relationship between theory of mind (ToM) and humanoid robots. Humanoid robots are employed in different everyday-life contexts, so it seems relevant to question whether the relationships between human beings and humanoids can be characterized by a mode of interaction typical of the relationships between human beings, that is, the attribution of mental states. Because ToM development continuously undergoes changes from early childhood to late adulthood, we adopted a lifespan perspective. We analyzed contributions from the literature by organizing them around the partition between 'mental states and actions' and 'human-like features.' Finally, we considered how studying human–robot interaction, within a ToM context, can contribute to our understanding of the intersubjective nature of this interaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2018) : Studying Effects of Incorporating Automated Affect Perception with Spoken Dialog in Social Robots In: Cabibihan, John-Joh: IEEE RO-MAN 2018: The 27th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication: 2018 27th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN): Nanjing: 8/27/2018 - 8/31/2018. Ro-Man; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; IEEE Robotics and Automation Society; IEEE Ro-Man; IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication: Piscataway, NJ: IEEE, S. 783-789
Abstract: Social robots are becoming an integrated part of our daily lives with the goal of understanding humans' social intentions and feelings, a capability which is often referred to as empathy. Despite significant progress towards the development of empathic social agents, current social robots have yet to reach the full emotional and social capabilities. This paper presents our recent effort on incorporating an automated Facial Expression Recognition (FER) system based on deep neural networks into the spoken dialog of a social robot (Ryan) to extend and enrich its capabilities beyond spoken dialog and integrate the user's affect state into the robot's responses. In order to evaluate whether this incorporation can improve social capabilities of Ryan, we conducted a series of Human-Robot-Interaction (HRI) experiments. In these experiments the subjects watched some videos and Ryan engaged them in a conversation driven by user's facial expressions perceived by the robot. We measured the accuracy of the automated FER system on the robot when interacting with different human subjects as well as three social/interactive aspects, namely task engagement, empathy, and likability of the robot. The results of our HRI study indicate that the subjects rated empathy and likability of the affect-aware Ryan significantly higher than non-empathic (the control condition) Ryan. Interestingly, we found that the accuracy of the FER system is not a limiting factor, as subjects rated the affect-aware agent equipped with a low accuracy FER system as empathic and likable as when facial expression was recognized by a human observer.
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(2018) : Decision-Making Prediction for Human-Robot Engagement between Pedestrian and Robot Receptionist In: Cabibihan, John-Joh: IEEE RO-MAN 2018: The 27th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication: 2018 27th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN): Nanjing: 8/27/2018 - 8/31/2018. Ro-Man; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; IEEE Robotics and Automation Society; IEEE Ro-Man; IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication: Piscataway, NJ: IEEE, S. 208-215
Abstract: Social robots have been providing a number of customer services lately. For example, they can take the place of people as receptionists. When people interact they predict each others decision-making from the others actions and take suitable actions for the sake of the other. However, taking such actions is difficult for modern social robots. Therefore, our initial aim is to solve the problem of how to predict decision-making in human-robot engagement. Choosing a reception system as a case study to approach this goal, we created a new model to predict who will use the system. The model contains a state transition function based on observation studies. We evaluated the model though a controlled experiment and a simulation experiment, using field data on prediction performance and mental effect. The experiment results lead us to believe that the model can predict the decisions of others sufficiently well. We also found that a pedestrian who will not talk with a robot receptionist suffers a negative emotion when the pedestrian is greeted by a robot, but a method we propose prevents this. We suggest that the word suitable is related to negative emotion, a part of usability. By using our model in the future we will attempt to find a method that will enable a robot to learn suitable actions by itself.
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(2018): Hidden Work and the Challenges of Scalability and Sustainability in Ambulatory Assisted Living. In: ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction 25 (2), S. 1-26. DOI: 10.1145/3185591
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3185591 Abstract: Assisted living technologies may help people live independently while also—potentially—reducing health and care costs. But they are notoriously difficult to implement at scale and many devices are abandoned following initial adoption. We report findings from a study of global positioning system (GPS) tracking devices intended to support the independent living of people with cognitive impairment. Our aims were threefold: to understand (through ethnography) such individuals’ lived experience of GPS tracking; to facilitate (through action research) the customization and adaptation of technologies and care services to provide effective, ongoing support; and to explore the possibilities for a co-production methodology that would enable people with cognitive impairment and their families to work with professionals and technical designers to shape these devices and services to meet their particular needs in a sustainable way. We found that the articulation work needed for maintaining the GPS technology in 'working order' was extensive and ongoing. This articulation work does not merely supplement formal procedures, a lot of it is needed to get round them, but it is also often invisible and thus its importance goes largely unrecognized. If GPS technologies are to be implemented at scale and sustainably, methods must be found to capitalize on the skills and tacit knowledge held within the care network (professional and lay) to resolve problems, improve device design, devise new service solutions, and foster organizational learning.
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(2018): The Effect of the Usage of Computer-Based Assistive Devices on the Functioning and Quality of Life of Individuals who are Blind or have low Vision. In: Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness 112 (1), S. 87-99. DOI: 10.1177/0145482X1811200108
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X1811200108 Abstract: Introduction: The Israel Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services subsidizes computer-based assistive devices for individuals with visual impairments (that is, those who are blind or have low vision) to assist these individuals in their interactions with computers and thus to enhance their independence and quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of computer usage on the quality of life of computer-based assistive device users, and to evaluate their capacity to carry out computer-based tasks. Methods: The study was conducted between the years 2013 and 2015. Questionnaires were provided to 96 randomly sampled individuals with visual impairments. These questionnaires were designed to collect information about the quality of life, types and frequency of computer use, satisfaction with the assistive devices, and the effects of computer-based assistive device usage on the participants’ lives. In addition, the study evaluated participants’ performance in tasks such as e-mail use, Internet surfing, and the use of Microsoft Word; participants performed these tasks on their personal computers. The research sample accounts for about 10% of visually impaired persons in Israel. Results: Findings suggest that participants use computer-based assistive devices frequently (four hours a day on average), primarily for leisure (three hours on average). Participants also report high satisfaction with their devices (mean of 3.98 out of the maximum score of 5.00) and indicate that the devices have improved their quality of life (mean 3.67 out of 5.00) and leisure activities (mean 3.68 out of 5.00). Participants display high levels of task performance, especially in the use of Microsoft Word software (mean of 3.47 out of 5.00), and e-mail usage (mean of 3.81 out of 5.00). Discussion: The findings suggest that most participants use computer-based assistive devices daily and report a positive influence from them on their quality of life and activity. Implications for practitioners: The study suggests that welfare services and assistance organizations would benefit from subsidizing computer assistive devices for individuals with visual impairments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
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(2018): Collaborative Assembly in Hybrid Manufacturing Cells: An Integrated Framework for Human–Robot Interaction. In: IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering 15 (3), S. 1178-1192. DOI: 10.1109/TASE.2017.2748386
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TASE.2017.2748386 Abstract: Recent emergence of safe, lightweight, and flexible robots has opened a new realm for human-robot collaboration in manufacturing. Utilizing such robots with the new human-robot interaction (HRI) functionality to interact closely and effectively with a human co-worker, we propose a novel framework for integrating HRI factors (both physical and social interactions) into the robot motion controller for human-robot collaborative assembly tasks in a manufacturing hybrid cell. To meet human physical demands in such assembly tasks, an optimal control problem is formulated for physical HRI (pHRI)-based robot motion control to keep pace with human motion progress. We further augment social HRI (sHRI) into the framework by considering a computational model of the human worker's trust in his/her robot partner as well as robot facial expressions. The human worker's trust in robot is computed and used as a metric for path selection as well as a constraint in the optimal control problem. Robot facial expression is displayed for providing additional visual feedbacks to the human worker. We evaluate the proposed framework by designing a robotic experimental testbed and conducting a comprehensive study with a human-in-the-loop. Results of this paper show that compared to the manual adjustments of robot velocity, an autonomous controller based on pHRI, pHRI and sHRI with trust, or pHRI and sHRI with trust, and emotion result in 34%, 39%, and 44% decrease in human workload and 21%, 32%, and 60% increase in robot's usability, respectively. Compared to the manual framework, human trust in robot increases by 38% and 42%, respectively, in the latter two autonomous frameworks. Moreover, the overall efficiency in terms of assembly time remains the same.