Probing the Design Space of a Telepresence Robot Gesture Arm with Low Fidelity Prototypes

Abstract

The general problem addressed in this paper is supporting a more efficient communication between remote users, who control telepresence robots, and people in the local setting. The design of most telepresence robots does not allow them to perform gestures. Given the key role of pointing in human communication, exploring design solutions for providing telepresence robots with deictic gesturing capabilities is, arguably, a timely research issue for Human-Robot Interaction.To address this issue, we conducted an empirical study, in which a set of low fidelity prototypes, illustrating various designs of a robot's gesture arm, were assessed by the participants (N=18). The study employed a mixed-method approach, a combination of a controlled experiment, elicitation study, and design provocation. The evidence collected in the study reveals participants' assessment of the designs, used in the study, and provides insights into participants' attitudes and expectations regarding gestural communication with telepresence robots in general.

Performance, Power, and Place: User Experience of Contactless Object Manipulation in Robotic Telepresence

“…Another solution to be explored is equipping MRP systems with pointing devices supporting referential gestures. Such functionality, which has been discussed in previous research in relation to telepresence in general [3], can be especially beneficial in the case of DRC. A pointing device, which can be lightweight and flexible to ensure safety, could be used by the pilot to indicate the object to be remotely manipulated, and, by doing that, provide intuitive activity awareness cues to the local people.…”

“…This paper addresses one of them, namely, a severely limited ability of most MRP systems to perform physical object manipulation. Primarily intended as communications devices, MRP systems are usually powerless when a physical action, however basic, is required, so pilots have to ask a local person for help when they need to open a door or turn on the lights (e.g., [3,35,39,40]). One way to deal with this challenge is to equip MRP systems with manipulator arms.…”

Mobile Remote Presence Enhanced with Contactless Object Manipulation

“…It is often associated with additional costs in terms of time and effort. Therefore, making double remote control interaction more efficient requires providing telepresence robots with more advanced gesturing capabilities ( [2,9,15]).…”

“…Given that our evidence indicates that employing the double remote control solution may have some adverse effects on social interactions, special attention will be paid to the social context of mobile remote presence and co-experience of telepresence technology [7]. In particular, we plan to enhance communication expressivity of telepresence robots by providing them with more advanced pointing capabilities [2,9].…”