Book - Chapter 4 Flashcards
Frankenstein approach
the practice of constructing robots by combining diverse components, sometimes repurposing or adapting existing technology or parts, resulting in a sometimes unconventional yet operational robotic system
Robot Design
the process of creating and developing robotic systems, encompassing the design of their physical structure, electronic components, software, and functionality to achieve specific tasks or functions
Inside-out approach to robot design
first defining the robot’s intended functionality and then tailoring its physical structure, electronic components, and software to suit that purpose, ensuring a task-specific design
Outside-in approach to robot design
involves starting with an analysis of the external environment and the tasks the robot will perform, then designing the robot’s physical and functional attributes based on the requirements of that context and the interactions it will have with its surroundings
Current Possible Robot Forms
Android - robot designed to resemble a human in appearance and often in behaviour
Humanoids - robots that exhibit human-like features, both in appearance and movement (but less than androids)
Zoomorphic robots - robots that take inspiration from animals and mimic their physical characteristics or behaviors in design
Minimalist robots - robots characterised by their simple, pared-down design and functionality, often focused on performing specific tasks efficiently
Robjects - robots that seamlessly blend into everyday objects and environments, making their robotic nature less conspicuous
Affordances - Definition and Importance
Affordances refer to the perceivable cues and opportunities a robot’s physical or behavioral characteristics provide, influencing how humans understand and interact with the robot
important since they signal appropriate ways of engaging with robots and help users understand robot capabilities and limitations
e.g., robot appearance, interaction modalities, and technical capabilities
Design Patterns - Definition
recurrent interaction scenarios and solutions
should be abstract, combinable, and serve to describe interactions with the social and physical world
can be developed through observation, empirical knowledge and iterative design
e.g., initial introduction and in motion together
Some Design Principles for HRI
match the robot’s form to its function
underpromise and overdeliver
open-ended design can allow people to interpret robots in various ways and thus expands robot function
mixed design metaphors, such as humanlike and machinelike elements together, can be disturbing to users
Pareidolia
special form of anthropomorphisation where human-like features are seen in random patterns or objects (face on Mars)
Three Core Factors of Anthropomorphism
Effectance motivation
Sociality motivation
Elicited agent knowledge
Effectance Motivation
the desire to understand and explain the behaviour of others, which can lead to anthropomorphising unfamiliar robots
Sociality motivation
the intrinsic drive or desire of individuals to engage in social interactions, connect with others, and be part of social groups, which plays a fundamental role in human behavior and well-being
Elicited agent knowledge
people using their commonsense understanding of social interactions to comprehend robots
The Uncanny Valley
a concept in robotics and artificial intelligence, describing the discomfort people feel when confronted with a human-like robot or avatar that closely resembles a human but exhibits subtle, unsettling differences, causing a dip in emotional response
Godspeed Questionnaire
a standardized survey used in the field of Human-Robot Interaction to assess and evaluate people’s perceptions, attitudes, and emotional responses when interacting with robots, covering various aspects like anthropomorphism, animacy, and likability
Cyclical Design Process
- Problem definition
- Interaction design.
- Testing.
- Analysis
- Iteration until satisfaction or resource constraints are met.
Wicked design problems
design problems with changing, incomplete, and interdependent requirements
Satisficing approach to design problems
creating solutions that are “good enough” rather than optimal, which is often necessary in HRI where robots may not outperform humans
User-Centered Design Process
iterative and collaborative approach to creating products and systems that prioritizes the needs and preferences of end-users, involving them throughout the design process to ensure usability, efficiency, and user satisfaction
Some User-Centered Methods
needs analysis
field studies
focus groups
interviews
surveys
user testing
Participatory design
a collaborative and inclusive approach that involves end-users, stakeholders, and designers working together in the design process to ensure that the final product or system aligns with the actual needs and values of the people who will use it
users involved from the very start
may be slow due to users having unrealistic robot conceptions
Prototyping kits
pre-packaged sets of tools, materials, and components that facilitate the rapid creation of functional models or prototypes, typically used in product development, engineering, and design to test and refine ideas and concepts
Influences of Culture on Robot Design - Examples
Animist beliefs explain the comfort of Japanese and Korean populations with robots
Westerners’ discomfort with social and humanoid robots is associated with human exceptionalism
Notions of mind and body, and individualist and communitarian social practices influence robot design
Human exceptionalism
the belief that humans possess unique and unparalleled characteristics, such as rationality, moral agency, or consciousness, that distinguish them from all other living beings
Animism
a belief system that attributes spiritual or conscious qualities to natural elements, such as animals, plants, and inanimate objects, regarding them as imbued with souls or spirits
Masahiro Mori’s perspective on Robots and Humans
highlights the profound interconnectedness between humans and machines, where this symbiotic relationship influences how robots are designed and function, and redefines the role of the designer in shaping this fusion
Illah Nourbkhsh’s Perspective on Good Design
underscores the connection between achieving inner peace and the ability of designers to produce work that aligns with their values, fostering a state of creative “flow” in the design process
