Welcome to the Future – How Naïve Users Intuitively Address an Intelligent Robotics Apartment

Abstract

Abstract. The purpose of this Wizard-of-Oz study was to explore the intuitive verbal and non-verbal goal-directed behavior of naïve participants in an intelligent robotics apartment. Participants had to complete seven mundane tasks, for instance, they were asked to turn on the light. Participants were explicitly instructed to consider nonstandard ways of completing the respective tasks. A multi-method approach revealed that most participants favored speech and interfaces like switches and screens to communicate with the intelligent robotics apartment. However, they required instructions to use the interfaces in order to perceive them as competent targets for human-machine interaction. Hence, first important steps were taken to investigate how to design an intelligent robotics apartment in a user-centered and user-friendly manner.Keywords: Social robot • smart home • human-robot interaction • use-case scenario • usability • intuitive design • user-centered design.

Can(‘t) Wait to Have a Robot at Home? - Japanese and German Users' Attitudes Toward Service Robots in Smart Homes

“…Moreover, especially naïve Japanese participants reported problems completing the study as they felt they lacked knowledge of robots and thus did not feel competent to evaluate a robot's design. Similarly, in a HRI study situated in an intelligent robotics apartment, [49] found that participants were not willing to interact with a robot because they did not feel competent to judge its capabilities. This previous research revealed participants' need for detailed information about a robot's functions before HRI could successfully be initiated.…”

“…This previous research revealed participants' need for detailed information about a robot's functions before HRI could successfully be initiated. A lack of information and experience with robots might cause feelings of insecurity (see [49]). To feel safe, people want to control a technical system such as a robot any time (see [40], [49]).…”

“…Obviously, Japanese and German participants did not see any benefit from using robots and avoided to initiate direct human-robot interaction. To motivate people to interact with robots in their daily life, the benefit of using a robot should be obvious, while the robot should appear predictable and thus easy to control (e.g., [40], [45], [49]). This to be realized, user preferences, attitudes, and concerns about robots need to be considered and investigated.…”

“…We recommend developing robot platforms based on empirical user studies that highlight user preferences and psychological aspects underlying a successful and positive HRI rather than relying on stereotypical social robot roles users might consider as appropriate. Moreover, the benefit from using a robot needs to be communicated in a way users understand and feel concerned while giving detailed information about a robot's functions and abilities (see also [49]). To create a positive HRI, the users' perspective should be taken into sharper focus to gain a more realistic view on robots and their potential users.…”

A Multidimensional Analysis of Robotic Deployment in Thai Hotels

“…People may have difficulties in realizing whether a robot is ready for interaction, especially when it is stationary [ 53 ]. A robot can actively interact with objects and humans using social cues [ 54 ].…”