Non-empirical ISO 9241-210:2019-based usability evaluation using fuzzy inference analyser: a special issue on interactive social robots

Abstract

PurposeThe objective of this research was to develop a new and highly accurate approach based on a fuzzy inference system (FIS) for the evaluation of usability based on ISO 9241-210:2019. In this study, a fully automated method of usability evaluation is used for interactive systems with a special look at interactive social robots.Design/methodology/approachFuzzy logic uses as an intelligent computing technique to deal with uncertainty and incomplete data. Here this system is implemented using MATLAB fuzzy toolbox. This system attempted to quantify four criteria that correlate highly with ISO 9241-210:2019 criteria for the evaluation of interactive systems with maximum usability. Also, the system was evaluated with standard cases of computer interactive systems usability evaluation. The system did not need to train various data and to check the rules. Just small data were used to fine-tune the fuzzy sets. The results were compared against experimental usability evaluation with the statistical analysis.FindingsIt is found that there was a high strong linear relation between the FIS usability assessment and System Usability Scale (SUS) based usability assessment, and authors’ new method provides reliable results in the estimation of the usability.Research limitations/implicationsIn human-robot systems, human performance plays an important role in the performance of social interactive systems. In the present study, the proposed system has considered all the necessary criteria for designing an interactive system with a high level of user because it is based on ISO 9241-210:2019.Practical implicationsFor future research, the system could be expanded with the training of historical data and the production of rules through integrating FIS and neural networks.Originality/valueThis system considered all essential criteria for designing an interactive system with a high level of usability because it is based on ISO 9241-210:2019. For future research, the system could be expanded with the training of historical data and the production of rules through integrating FIS and neural networks.

Guest editorial: Social robots, services and applications

“…The third group of four papers focused on AI applications. Asemi et al (2022a) presented a fully automated usability evaluation method for interactive social robots by a fuzzy inference system based on ISO 9241-210:2019. Asemi et al (2022b) studied the thematic and conceptual relationship in published papers on deep learning and smart manufacturing and its possible implications.…”