A Meta-Analysis on Remote HRI and In-Person HRI: What Is a Socially Assistive Robot to Do?
Nan Liang1, Goldie Nejat1,2,3
1Autonomous Systems and Biomechatronics Laboratory (ASBLab), Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Rd, Toronto, ON M5S 3G8, Canada.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 14, 2022
Summary
Socially assistive robots can help combat loneliness and isolation. This study compares in-person and remote human-robot interaction (HRI) to understand their impact on healthcare assistance and user experience.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Gerontology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic increased social isolation, particularly for vulnerable populations in healthcare settings.
- Socially assistive robots offer potential solutions for loneliness and social isolation through physical and cognitive stimulation.
- Remote presence technologies have gained traction in healthcare, necessitating a comparison with in-person human-robot interaction (HRI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively investigate and compare in-person HRI versus remote HRI for socially assistive robots.
- To determine how different robotic presence modes influence HRI outcomes and user task performance.
- To address the lack of consensus on the differences between in-person and remote HRI, especially concerning physical embodiment.
Main Methods:
- Conducting a meta-analysis comparing in-person and remote HRI with socially assistive robots.
- Investigating HRI outcomes, user experience, perceptions, and attitudes.
- Analyzing the efficacy of both humanoid and non-humanoid robots across diverse populations and interaction modes.
Main Results:
- This paper presents the first comprehensive investigation and meta-analysis comparing in-person and remote HRI with socially assistive robots.
- The study addresses key research questions regarding user experience, perceptions, attitudes, and the efficacy of different robotic systems.
- The findings contribute to understanding the influence of robotic presence on HRI outcomes and task performance in healthcare settings.
Conclusions:
- Remote HRI with socially assistive robots is a promising field for healthcare applications, offering assistance with daily activities and cognitive interventions.
- Comparing in-person and remote HRI is crucial for optimizing robot design and deployment in healthcare.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the nuances of physical embodiment in remote HRI scenarios.
Keywords:
remote and in-person human–robot interactionrobot embodimentrobot presencesocially assistive robotsuser experience and perceptions
