Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) is a multidisciplinary study of interactions between Humans and Robots. The goal of this course is to examine psychological and sociological concepts that are relevant for understanding, evaluating, and designing natural and intuitive interactions between humans and robots. The course covers topics such as communication, trust, acceptance, empathy, affective design, and ethical considerations for HRI. In the course, students will learn what human needs and requirements have to be met in order to design effective and successful human-robot interactions. Furthermore, the course intends to increase students’ awareness of social aspects of technology and social considerations surrounding technology.
Students will
1) Learn basic psychological and sociological concepts and how to apply them to the design of human-robot interaction
2) Understand human capabilitites and limitations that have to be considered in Human-Robot Interaction
3) Develop a criticial understand of the impact of new technologies on society
human-robot interaction, communication, intelligent automated systems, empathy
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Each class will cover a different topic relevant for Human-Robot interaction. Every class contains a lecture and group discussions / group work. By means of practical examples, exercises, and discussions students will develop a critical understanding of the subject matter.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction | Course content, class flow, course requirements will be explained |
Class 2 | A short history of robotics | Historic overview of how robot technology has evolved and changed peoples life |
Class 3 | Study methods and designs for evaluating Human-Robot interaction | Fundamentals in research methods, laboratory and field studies, research design |
Class 4 | Interaction with intelligent autonomous systems | Human interaction with automated systems and related problems |
Class 5 | Physical interaction and haptics | Foundation of haptics, Effect of haptics in Human-Robot interaction |
Class 6 | Verbal and non-verbal communication | Fundamentals of communication studies and how to apply these to Human-Robot interaction |
Class 7 | Affective Design | The role of emotions for designing Human-Robot interactions |
Class 8 | Acceptance and Trust | The concept of trust, role of trust for accepting and interacting with robots |
Class 9 | Empathic Human-Robot interaction | Concept of empathy, how to improve Human-robot collaboration by incorporating empathy into the dialog |
Class 10 | Developing long-term relationships | Foundations of relationship building, maintaining a lasting and positive relationship in Human-Robot interaction |
Class 11 | Applications: Domestic assistance / Eldercare | Social robots for domestic use, rehabilitation, Problems involved with using Care robots |
Class 12 | Ethical considerations | Ethical guidlines for Artificial Intelligence, Impact of robot technology on society |
Class 13 | Presentation | Short presentation by students covering specific problems in a chosen applied field of robotics or artificial intelligence |
Class 14 | Presentation | Short presentation by students covering specific problems in a chosen applied field of robotics or artificial intelligence |
Class 15 | Class review and Final Exam | Summarizing overview of the topics studied throughout the semester, final exam |
No textbook is set.
Additional course materials will be provided in class or on OCW-i.
In class participation 20%
Home assignments 10%
Presentation 30%
Final Exam 40%
Nothing in particular. Being able to discuss in English.