Application of human-robot interaction features to design and purchase processes of home robots

Abstract

Production of home robots, such as robotic vacuum cleaners, currently focuses more on the technology and its engineering than the needs of people and their interaction with robots. An observation supporting this view is that the home robots are not customizable. In other words, buyers cannot select the features and built their home robots to order. Stemmed from this observation, the paper proposes an approach that starts with a classification of features of home robots. This classification concerns robot interaction with humans and the environment, a home in our case. Following the classification, the proposed approach utilizes a new hybrid model based on a built-to-order model and dynamic eco-strategy explorer model, enabling designers to develop a production line and buyers to customize their home robots with the classified features. Finally, we applied the proposed approach to robotic vacuum cleaners. We developed a feature model for robotic vacuum cleaners, from which we formed a common uses scenario model.