Shybo – Design of a Research Artefact for Human-robot Interaction Studies

Abstract

This article discusses the role of Design Research in the field of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). Notably, the Research through Design (RtD) approach is proposed as a valuable method to develop HRI research artefacts due to the importance of having a physical artefact, a robot, that enables direct interaction. Moreover, there is a growing interest in HRI for design methodologies as methods for investigation. The article presents an example of a design process, focused on hands-on activities, namely sketching, 3D modelling, prototyping, and documenting. These making practices were applied to the development of Shybo, a small sound-reactive robot for children. Particular attention has been given to the five prototypes that led to the definition of the current solution. Morphological, behavioral, and interaction aspects were investigated throughout the whole process. Each phase of the design process was then documented with the intent of sharing potentially replicable practices and contributing to the understanding of the role that RtD can play in HRI.

Learning from robotic artefacts: A quest for strong concepts in Human-Robot Interaction

“…The primary hypotheses that are tested in HRI are related to providing an exploration or account of some human-centered phenomenon, or improving the functionalities and application of the robot (ibid). Obviously, this empirical approach does not negate RtD (see the "Lab" approach in [62]), yet the multiple roles that robotic artefacts can play in the generation of knowledge and the other explorative RtD methods are still relatively unknown to the majority of HRI design researchers, as emphasized also in the limited number of contributions found on this topic [66,70,72,76]. Still, the field recognizes the need to embrace new methods, methodologies, and in general a theoretical and conceptual basis, in order to establish itself as a research field alongside HCI or psychology [31].…”

“…However, sameness can lead to uncanny feelings when it is at its extreme [75] or elicit unrealistic expectations from the robots, which often makes people to overestimate the robots' capabilities [102]. On the other hand, otherness supports calibrating the expectations of the users (see the case of the robotic vacuum cleaners eliciting low expectations in users [43]) and help constructing the "pretense" situation that the humans and robots are in [70]. However, at the same time it requires more interpretation and learning from the users, which might result in less effective interactions [4].…”

Expressive/Sensitive

“…Other artefacts deliberately attempt to emulate anthropomorphic or zoomorphic forms of expression: from backpacks that move in ways evocative of fear and interest [11], to the light-emitting Shybo that manifests something akin to 'fear' by shaking in response to loud and sudden noises [7].…”

“…[10]), has focused on the social and emotional qualities that can be evoked through interactions with those artefacts, i.e. expressiveness; from scared lamps [7], to small robots that stimulate collaboration within groups [14].…”

A video-based assessment of likeability and usability in a play application of robots for children

“…Shybo (Lupetti, 2017) and its related activity are the results of a design research project that was developed at the Department of Architecture and Design, Politecnico di Torino (Italy). This research, which was carried out adopting a research through design approach (Frayling, 1993), combined participatory actions with the physical development of a prototype and its accessories.…”