Evaluating Input Devices for Robotic Telepresence*

Abstract

Robotic telepresence (RT)-technologies enable users' to be physically and socially present in a remote environment. These systems consist of a robot with a base with wheels, cameras, speakers, microphones, and a monitor, remotely controlled via a computer. It is common for robotic telepresence systems to support multiple input devices, including keyboard, mouse, and game controller. However, to the authors' knowledge, there are no studies that have investigated the differences between the devices. This study investigates how four different input devices, mouse, game controller, and keyboard, affect performance and experience. The study consists of a controlled experiment where participants navigated a track with the four different input devices. Outlined in this article is a mixed-method study aimed to uncover the complexity of input devices, how various interaction design factors affect the performance, and the users' experience of different input devices. The study found the keyboard and game controller to be the overall best devices. Furthermore, this article highlights a need to understand how abilities received from previous experiences transfer to the usage of RT-technology.