CAREER: Interacting with Autonomy

University Of Massachusetts Lowell Research Foundation, Lowell MA

Investigators

Abstract

Over the past three years, the PI has conducted studies of human-robot interaction (HRI) in robot systems designed for urban search and rescue (USAR) and robotic wheelchairs. As a consequence of these studies, she has observed several problems arising from current designs: users do not switch modes effectively; users are unable to intervene after a long period of autonomy; users have a lack of situation awareness; information is presented ineffectively; and bystanders are confused when the robot acts in an unexpected fashion. Based upon these issues, the PI has identified four challenge areas for interacting with autonomous systems: blending user and robot inputs to create sliding scale autonomy; automatically changing autonomy levels; summarizing robot state and past actions; and interacting with bystanders. During the first three year of this project, the PI will design systems and conduct experiments in and effort to find answers to these challenge areas. She will test her theories in two robot applications: urban search and rescue, which requires the operator to be remotely located; and robotic wheelchairs, where the operator is sitting on the robot and bystanders can be affected by the operation of the system. In the final two years of the project, the PI will validate her theories in a third application: a robot assistant for the elderly or disabled. Throughout the grant period, the research will be integrated into courses (undergraduate as well as graduate), as well as outreach activities in middle and high schools. The PI will also develop a new course, Interacting with Autonomous Systems, which will address both human-computer interaction (HCI) and human-robot interaction (HRI). The intellectual merits of this project includes: formulation and testing of theories for determining how to appropriately set and switch autonomy levels for robotic systems; creation of methods for blending autonomy levels to create new autonomy levels; development of an improved understanding of interaction with robotic systems; and validation of all hypotheses through the development of a new robotic system. Broader Impacts: All of the robot application areas to be explored in this research have the potential to impact society. The theories regarding interacting with autonomy will apply to non-robotic systems as well, including space systems such as life support. Inclusion of undergraduate students in the research will encourage them to pursue graduate studies, and the outreach program will introduce middle and high school students to robotics.