Robotic etiquette: results from user studies involving a fetch and carry task

This paper presents results, outcomes and conclusions from a series of Human Robot Interaction (HRI) trials which investigated how a robot should approach a human in a fetch and carry task. Two pilot trials were carried out, aiding the development of a main HRI trial with four different approach contexts under controlled experimental conditions. The findings from the pilot trials were confirmed and expanded upon. Most subjects disliked a frontal approach when seated. In general, seated humans do not like to be approached by a robot directly from the front even when seated behind a table. A frontal approach is more acceptable when a human is standing in an open area. Most subjects preferred to be approached from either the left or right side, with a small overall preference for a right approach by the robot. However, this is not a strong preference and it may be disregarded if it is more physically convenient to approach from a left front direction. Handedness and occupation were not r...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2007
• Where: HRI
• Authors: Michael L. Walters, Kerstin Dautenhahn, Sarah N. Woods, Kheng Lee Koay
• Keywords: HRI 2007, Human Computer Interaction, Human Robot Interaction, Main Hri Trials, Robots