Expression Elicitation: How can a Vacuum Robot Non-verbally Communicate Intentions?

Aufgabenstellung / Topic

Non-Verbal communication is a non-intrusive way for robots to communicate with users. However, how robot gestures are understood by users is not directly clear. In this thesis, you will apply the Expression Elicitation approach to develop non-verbal, understandable expressions for a vacuum robot operating in a domestic environment. The goal is to enable the robot to clearly communicate its current goals and needs without relying on sound. Scenarios may include the robot signaling which room it plans to clean next, indicating that an object is blocking its path, or expressing that it needs to recharge.

You will:

• Review literature on robot expressiveness and non-verbal communication and come up with referents the robot should be able to communicate
• Follow the Expression Elicitation methodology to design expressions
• Implement software to create dynamic robot expressions for a vacuum robot
• Conduct a user study
• Analyze and summarize findings in a thesis
• (Optional) Contribute to a research publication

You need:

• Interest in Human-Robot Interaction
• Skills in Python programming
• (Optional) Experience with robotics platforms and ROS (Robot Operating System)
• Knowledge of study design and user evaluation

Reference Work

• An Approach to Elicit Human-Understandable Robot Expressions to Support Human-Robot Interaction