A zoomorphic robot as a companion for children undergoing long / painful medical procedures
Type
Research Project
Team
Rochelle Spaargen
Rishi Gurrala
Puck Kemper
Duration
6 Weeks
My Role
User research, improv theatre workshop, video documentation, lego prototyping, Lego based scenario design, scenario design through animation, analysis, Human Robot interaction design
Problem Statement
Robots have fascinated us through sci-fi movies for a long time such as i-robot and more recently Ex-machina. Today we see robots being employed in homes(Roomba) and factories.However, with the advent of social robots in market such as NAO, PEPPER and AIBO, the applications of robotics in the field of Human Computer Interaction is seeing the day of light.This can be seen with use of robots in homes as companion pets(AIBO).
While social robots are currently used as companion bots using features like playing interactive games and scheduling appointments, medical reminders etc.
We devised to design a companion robot for children undergoing painful or long medical procedures as a way to provide comfort to the child.
Miro-E
Miro-E is a small, programmable robot designed for educational and research purposes.
It features sensors for perception, can be programmed to exhibit various behaviors like
locomotion and social interaction, and offers a platform for learning about robotics and
artificial intelligence. Its compact design, modularity, and programmability make it suitable
for a wide range of applications in schools, universities, and research institutions.
Design Methods
Scenario Based design
Story based scenario
Implemented through lego buildng of charecters and animation for story building
We thought of multiple scenarios in which Miro-e could be used
- Child getting an injection
- Child waking up in pain
Theatre Improv
Improv theatre, an art form where actors perform a particular scene on impromptu basis.
The scenarios were presented and discussed with a play director beforehand and during the session we were able to record in order to understand and interpret the various interaction points to concentrate on.
The improv theatre scenes, particularly when actors portrayed children, shed light on how the height and activity level of a robot influence a child's comfort. The ideal activity level for the robot should strike a balance between low and medium, offering interaction as a distraction or comfort during stress but not overly stimulating the child. Smooth and slow movements are preferable. Regarding height, placing the robot on the ground causes discomfort as the child struggles to see it, while positioning it too high results in minimal interaction and a distant form of comfort. The robot should be within arm's reach for interactive comfort. However, it's important to note that these insights are subjective to the actors' experiences and may not reflect those of the general public or the target user. Overall, the theatre experiment provided valuable insights into how the robot's activity level and position affect interaction and atmosphere with a child.
Design of Behaviour
Post scenarios we were ready to build the behaviour of MIRO-E.
We employed the Sense-Think-Act model for an interactive systemPost scenarios we were ready to build the behaviour of MIRO-E.
We employed the Sense-Think-Act model for an interactive system
User testing and future implications
We were able to test the interactions with the robot with students from the same course who were aware of the robot.
The testing proved to be quite positive in reports stating the robot was emotionally satisfying to interact with like a pet and provided comfort. However the same will be required to be tested with children and in the hospital environment for further research.