The Project on People and Robots
The goal of this project, a collaboration between roboticists, social scientists, and designers, is to conduct applied research into the design of future assistive robotic products. These products will be intelligent, social, and able to assist us in our day-to-day needs. Interacting with them should be non-stigmatizing, efficient, and even enjoyable.
The designers in our group are particularly interested in how social robots should appear, behave, and interact with people. Through ethnographic study, synthesis and analysis of the data, and iterative design, implementation, and testing of prototypes, we are developing models of human-robot interaction, theories on the use of particular product form and behavior, and future product concepts and application areas.
Analysis of our data revealed five opportunity areas for how robotic technology might assist elders and their caregivers: leaving a legacy, health and wellness, controlling the environment, social and emotional support, and technology at the chairside or bedside.
The Hug, a soft, huggable robot that uses sensing technology and wireless telephony, was designed to provide social and emotional support for elders who live at a distance from their family members. It provides intimate communication through voice augmented with touch, warmth, lights, and sound. [4MB quicktime movie]
The SenseChair provides comfort and support for elders who spend long periods of time seated in the same chair, restoring independence and dignity to the life of someone who is nearly housebound. It motivates sitters to periodically move from the chair to stay mobile and active, and can provide assistance ranging from ambient reminders to explicit warnings.[4MB quicktime movie]
DiSalvo, C., Gemperle, F., Forlizzi, J., and Montgomery, E. (2003). "The Hug: An Exploration of Robotic Form for Intimate Communication." Ro-Man 2003 Conference Proceedings, San Francisco, CA, October, 2003, available as CD-rom. [local pdf, 1.6 MB]
DiSalvo, C., Gemperle, F., Forlizzi, J., and Kiesler, S. (2002). "All Robots are Not Created Equal: The Design and Perception of Humanoid Robot Heads." Designing Interactive Systems 2002 Conference Proceedings, London, England, June, 2002, 321-326. [local pdf, 116 KB]
Forlizzi, J., DiSalvo, C., Zimmerman, J., Mutlu, B., and Hurst, A. (2005). "The SenseChair: The lounge chair as an intelligent assistive device for elders." DUX05 Conference Proceedings, available online. [local pdf, 1.8 MB]
Forlizzi, J., DiSalvo, C., and Gemperle, F. (2004). "Assistive Robotics and an Ecology of Elders Living Independently in Their Homes." Journal of HCI Special Issue on Human-Robot Interaction, V19 N1/2, January, 2004. [local pdf, 5 MB]
Copyright 2006 Jodi Forlizzi.