The integration of dogs into collaborative human-robot teams: an applied ethological approach

Abstract

To me, this thesis is far more than scientific proof for some testable hypothesis. Its existence proveswith more significance than any statistical test can ever reachthat everything is worth to give a try, even if sometimes trying hard is necessary in order to move on. It also keeps reminding mebesides the sheer wonder and power of creative ideasthat there lies an exceptional beauty and joy in the challenge of sharing ideas and putting them through into practice together. I feel fortunate that I have had the opportunity to experience all this for myself, and these few words hereby are there to reflect my gratitude to all of you, who were around to help, guide and accompany me in these last couple of exciting, challenging and illuminating years.Being involved in dog behaviour research at Ethology Department of ELTE was something I had been wishing for many years, and I contacted Enikő Kubinyi to ask for advice. Thank you, Enikő, for your helpfulness and encouragement when I made my very first step. I had no idea how science 'works', and simply getting prepared for starting my doctoral studies and research work took a considerable amount of time and effort not only from my side, but from the side of my supervisor, Ádám Miklósi as well. Ádám, I do appreciate a lot all the precious time you devoted to my support during these years. You always gave me as much attention and help as I needed, which paved the way and contributed a lot not only to my professional progress, but also to making me feel important in what I was doing. I know I was not always effective and diligent enough, and I am greatful for all the nourishing impulses you have not stopped giving. At the same time, you also let me go my own pace, express and follow my own ideas, enjoy related field work and experience for myself the challenges and art of creating valuable science, which means a lot to me. Thank you for the fostering freedom and your trustful patience. Your comprehensive knowledge, ethusianism, agile curiosity and humour have been inspiring me all the way. Thank you.An overwhealming part of this thesis was born as a result of the cooperation of many people from the Biological Physics Department, such as Gábor Vásárhelyi, Máté Nagy and Gergő Somorjai. Gábor and Máté, I think I am exceptionally lucky to have had the opportunity to be supported by your help during my very first face to face encounter with doing scientific experiments and writing scientific paper. Your kind and unselfish helpfulness and patience in explaining and introducing me to all the new and sometimes scarily unfamiliar topic and technical details promoted my successful getting along. Thank you for taking your time and sharing your knowledge with me, your support gave me courage and also some confidence in a field that had been completely unfamiliar. Gábor, you are also a perfect co-author.Moreover, and now this holds true for Gergő as well, your enthusianism and helpfulness contributed incredibly lot to the practical realization of the field work of our synergia project, fo...