2011 RO-MANPub Date : 2011-08-30DOI: 10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005240
Gabriele Randelli, M. Venanzi, D. Nardi
{"title":"Evaluating tangible paradigms for ground robot teleoperation","authors":"Gabriele Randelli, M. Venanzi, D. Nardi","doi":"10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005240","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005240","url":null,"abstract":"Tangible user interfaces (TUIs) exhibit innovative interaction paradigms, for example through motion sensing, tactile feedback, or gesturing. Whilst wide spread in human-computer interaction, their value in robotic systems has still to be assessed. In this paper, we present some results obtained through an extensive experimental evaluation of motion sensing interaction paradigms implemented on TUIs for the teleoperation of ground robots. Once analyzed the collected data, in order to evince relevant properties of TUIs, we provide a detailed discussion of our results in terms of mission-related performance, environment conditions, robot operation degree, and human cognitive effort. Our belief is that such a study represents a valuable step towards a formal assessment of tangible interfaces in robotics.","PeriodicalId":408015,"journal":{"name":"2011 RO-MAN","volume":"26 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121653234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
2011 RO-MANPub Date : 2011-08-30DOI: 10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005196
R. D. Nijs, Miguel Juliá, N. Mitsou, Barbara Gonsior, D. Wollherr, K. Kühnlenz, M. Buss
{"title":"Following route graphs in urban environments","authors":"R. D. Nijs, Miguel Juliá, N. Mitsou, Barbara Gonsior, D. Wollherr, K. Kühnlenz, M. Buss","doi":"10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005196","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005196","url":null,"abstract":"In this paper, an approach is presented that allows a robot to navigate in an urban environment by following natural language route instructions. In this situation, neither maps nor GPS information are available to the robot thus it has to rely solely on the human-given route description and the observations from its sensors. An architecture for solving problems such as navigation on the sidewalk, street direction inference, and environment labeling that arise in this situation is presented. Our initial experiments indicate that the proposed methods enable a robot to safely navigate in urban environments by following abstract route descriptions and reach previously unknown points in a city.","PeriodicalId":408015,"journal":{"name":"2011 RO-MAN","volume":"6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123797507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
2011 RO-MANPub Date : 2011-08-30DOI: 10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005195
M. Bergh, Daniel Carton, R. D. Nijs, N. Mitsou, Christian Landsiedel, K. Kühnlenz, D. Wollherr, L. Gool, M. Buss
{"title":"Real-time 3D hand gesture interaction with a robot for understanding directions from humans","authors":"M. Bergh, Daniel Carton, R. D. Nijs, N. Mitsou, Christian Landsiedel, K. Kühnlenz, D. Wollherr, L. Gool, M. Buss","doi":"10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005195","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005195","url":null,"abstract":"This paper implements a real-time hand gesture recognition algorithm based on the inexpensive Kinect sensor. The use of a depth sensor allows for complex 3D gestures where the system is robust to disturbing objects or persons in the background. A Haarlet-based hand gesture recognition system is implemented to detect hand gestures in any orientation, and more in particular pointing gestures while extracting the 3D pointing direction. The system is integrated on an interactive robot (based on ROS), allowing for real-time hand gesture interaction with the robot. Pointing gestures are translated into goals for the robot, telling him where to go. A demo scenario is presented where the robot looks for persons to interact with, asks for directions, and then detects a 3D pointing direction. The robot then explores his vicinity in the given direction and looks for a new person to interact with.","PeriodicalId":408015,"journal":{"name":"2011 RO-MAN","volume":"79 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128236895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
2011 RO-MANPub Date : 2011-08-30DOI: 10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005267
A. Salerno, Fabio Viziano, F. Mastrogiovanni, A. Sgorbissa, R. Zaccaria
{"title":"Composition of behaviour primitives for entertainment humanoid robots","authors":"A. Salerno, Fabio Viziano, F. Mastrogiovanni, A. Sgorbissa, R. Zaccaria","doi":"10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005267","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005267","url":null,"abstract":"This article introduces a model for representing motion primitives for entertainment humanoid robots using Generalized Hierarchical AND/OR graphs. On the one hand, the goal is to drive robots with scripts, as if they were on a stage. On the other hand, the approach allows for storing a minimum amount of behaviours, thereby reducing on-board memory and computational requirements. Standard ontology-based reasoning mechanisms are used to operate on such a representation, in a fully hierarchical fashion. Experimental validation has been assessed using toy Kondo robots.","PeriodicalId":408015,"journal":{"name":"2011 RO-MAN","volume":"41 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124574261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
2011 RO-MANPub Date : 2011-08-30DOI: 10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005238
C. Avizzano, Massimo Satler, G. Cappiello, Andrea Scoglio, E. Ruffaldi, M. Bergamasco
{"title":"MOTORE: A mobile haptic interface for neuro-rehabilitation","authors":"C. Avizzano, Massimo Satler, G. Cappiello, Andrea Scoglio, E. Ruffaldi, M. Bergamasco","doi":"10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005238","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005238","url":null,"abstract":"The present paper introduces a novel type of haptic interface which is fully portable and employs only onboard sensors and electronics to solve accurate localization and force feedback generation. The device offers 2DOF force control while sliding on a plane and maintaining its orientation comfortable for the user. The device generates force feedback information without any intermediate link between the motion wheels and the grasping handle. The device has been designed for application in neuro-rehabilitation protocols and it adopts specific mechanical, electrical and control solutions in order to cope with patient requirements. The paper describes the mechanical and electronic solutions as well as the most relevant features of control implementation issues that were addressed in the system design.","PeriodicalId":408015,"journal":{"name":"2011 RO-MAN","volume":"34 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128901921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
2011 RO-MANPub Date : 2011-08-30DOI: 10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005270
Esubalew Bekele, U. Lahiri, J. Davidson, Z. Warren, N. Sarkar
{"title":"Development of a novel robot-mediated adaptive response system for joint attention task for children with autism","authors":"Esubalew Bekele, U. Lahiri, J. Davidson, Z. Warren, N. Sarkar","doi":"10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005270","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005270","url":null,"abstract":"With Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prevalence estimates for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at 9.1 per 1,000 (1 in 110), identification and effective treatment of ASD is often characterized as a public health emergency. Emerging technology, especially robotic technology, has been shown to be appealing to these children and such interest can be harnessed to address the limitations while providing intervention services to young children with ASD. Generally the spectrum nature of autism calls for intensive, individualized intervention. However, existing robot-mediated systems tend to have limited adaptive capability that limits individualization. Our current work seeks to bridge this gap by developing a novel adaptive and individualized robot-mediated technology for children with ASD. The system is composed of a humanoid robot with its vision being augmented by several wall-mounted cameras for real-time head tracking using a distributed architecture. Based on the cues from the child's head movement, the robot intelligently adapts itself in an individualized manner to promote joint attention. The developed system is validated with two typically developing children. The validation results of the head tracker and the closed-loop nature of interaction are presented.","PeriodicalId":408015,"journal":{"name":"2011 RO-MAN","volume":"40 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127681868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
2011 RO-MANPub Date : 2011-08-30DOI: 10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005289
Kazuki Kobayashi, Kotaro Funakoshi, S. Yamada, Mikio Nakano, T. Komatsu, Yasunori Saito
{"title":"Blinking light patterns as artificial subtle expressions in human-robot speech interaction","authors":"Kazuki Kobayashi, Kotaro Funakoshi, S. Yamada, Mikio Nakano, T. Komatsu, Yasunori Saito","doi":"10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005289","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005289","url":null,"abstract":"Users' impressions of blinking light expressions used as artificial subtle expressions have been investigated. In a preliminary experiment, thirteen blinking patterns were used for investigating participants' impressions of their agreeableness. The highest and lowest valued blinking patterns were identified and used for a speech interaction experiment. In this experiment, 52 participants tried to reserve hotel rooms with a spoken dialogue system coupled with an interface robot using a blinking light expression. A sine wave, a random wave, a rectangular wave, and a no-blinking condition were used as artificial subtle expressions to express a robot's internal state of “processing” or “recognizing”. The results of a questionnaire showed the conditions did not significantly differ in terms of agreeableness, but the sine wave and the rectangular wave were evaluated as “more useful” than the no-blinking condition. Results of factor analyses suggested that the rectangular wave provides a comfortable impression of the dialogue.","PeriodicalId":408015,"journal":{"name":"2011 RO-MAN","volume":"28 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121756260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
2011 RO-MANPub Date : 2011-08-30DOI: 10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005272
Stephanie Rosenthal, M. Veloso
{"title":"Modeling humans as observation providers using POMDPs","authors":"Stephanie Rosenthal, M. Veloso","doi":"10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005272","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005272","url":null,"abstract":"The ability to obtain accurate observations while navigating in uncertain environments is a difficult challenge in deploying robots. Robots have relied heavily on human supervisors who are always available to provide additional observations to reduce uncertainty. We are instead interested in taking advantage of humans who are already in the environment to receive observations. The challenge is in modeling these humans' availability and higher costs of interruption to determine when to query them during navigation. In this work, we introduce a Human Observation Provider POMDP framework (HOP-POMDP), and contribute new algorithms for planning and executing with HOP-POMDPs that account for the differences between humans and other probabilistic sensors that provide observations. We compare optimal HOP-POMDP policies that plan for needing humans' observations with oracle POMDP policies that do not take human costs and availability into account. We show in benchmark tests and real-world environments that the oracle policies match the optimal HOP-POMDP policy 60% of the time, and can be used in cases when humans are likely to be available on the shortest paths. However, the HOP-POMDP policies receive higher rewards in general as they take into account the possibility that a human may be unavailable. HOP-POMDP policies only need to be computed once prior to the deployment of the robot, so it is feasible to precompute and use in practice.","PeriodicalId":408015,"journal":{"name":"2011 RO-MAN","volume":"139 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115917934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
2011 RO-MANPub Date : 2011-08-30DOI: 10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005277
Jaeeun Shim, A. Thomaz
{"title":"Human-like action segmentation for option learning","authors":"Jaeeun Shim, A. Thomaz","doi":"10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005277","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005277","url":null,"abstract":"Robots learning interactively with a human partner has several open questions, one of which is increasing the efficiency of learning. One approach to this problem in the Reinforcement Learning domain is to use options, temporally extended actions, instead of primitive actions. In this paper, we aim to develop a robot system that can discriminate meaningful options from observations of human use of low-level primitive actions. Our approach is inspired by psychological findings about human action parsing, which posits that we attend to low-level statistical regularities to determine action boundary choices. We implement a human-like action segmentation system for automatic option discovery and evaluate our approach and show that option-based learning converges to the optimal solutions faster compared with primitive-action-based learning.","PeriodicalId":408015,"journal":{"name":"2011 RO-MAN","volume":"58 6","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"120934226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
2011 RO-MANPub Date : 2011-08-30DOI: 10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005244
S. Costa, F. Soares, C. Santos, Manuel J. Ferreira, M. F. Moreira, Ana Paula Pereira Vieira, Fernanda Cunha
{"title":"An approach to promote social and communication behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders: Robot based intervention","authors":"S. Costa, F. Soares, C. Santos, Manuel J. Ferreira, M. F. Moreira, Ana Paula Pereira Vieira, Fernanda Cunha","doi":"10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005244","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2011.6005244","url":null,"abstract":"Most autistic people present some difficulties in developing social behavior, living in their own world. This study has the goal to improve the social life of children with autism with a main focus in promoting their social interaction and communication. It is necessary to call for children's attention and enforce their collaboration, where a robot, LEGO MindStorm, behaves as a mediator/promoter of this interaction. A set of experiments designed to share objects and fulfill simple orders, by the 11 years old autistic child at the time of daily routine work and in-game with the robot, are described. The generalization of the acquired skills by the child in new contexts and environments are also tested. Results are described showing the outcomes of the experiments.","PeriodicalId":408015,"journal":{"name":"2011 RO-MAN","volume":"21 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126085548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}