Three research projects at HRI 2024
The Interactive Technologies Institute will be participating in the 19th Annual ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) with the acceptance of three research papers. These papers showcase ITI’s commitment to advancing the field and highlight the institute’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and understanding in human-robot interactions.
The ACM/IEEE HRI conference provides an ideal platform for researchers to share their latest work with the global HRI community. The “HRI in the real world” theme resonates with ITI’s mission to bring human-robot interaction out of the lab and into everyday life. The conference, scheduled for March 11-15, 2024, will occur in Boulder, Colorado, USA.
“I’m Not Touching You. It’s The Robot!”: Inclusion Through A Touch-Based Robot Among Mixed-Visual Ability Children
This research paper, led by Isabel Neto, a researcher at the Interactive Technologies Institute and GAIPS Lab (INESC-ID), introduces Touchibo, a groundbreaking tactile storytelling robot designed to promote inclusivity among children with mixed visual abilities. Touchibo successfully bridges the gap between children through engaging storytelling activities, fostering collaboration and empathy. Isabel Neto emphasises the transformative impact of this technology, envisioning a future where innovation promotes inclusivity and understanding among individuals of all abilities. This paper is nominated for the ‘Best Paper’ award at the HRI conference in 2024.
More-than-human Perspective on the Robomorphism Paradigm
Filipa Correia leads a team of researchers to propose on a new theoretical paradigm called “robomorphism” that challenges traditional views in Human-Robot Interaction. The authors follow posthuman perspectives by exploring the attribution of robot-like traits to various entities. The paper not only offers a fresh viewpoint on robomorphism but also provides valuable insights for the future development of social robots.
The Effects of Observing Robotic Ostracism on Children’s Prosociality and Basic Needs
A team of researchers from ITI, INESC-ID and MiLab investigated in a study how children respond to robotic ostracism and its impact on their prosocial behaviour and basic needs. The study, conducted with children aged five to ten years old, reveals intriguing insights into the psychological mechanisms at play when children experience social exclusion from robotic peers. The research paves the way for more empathetic design approaches in human-robot interaction, particularly in educational settings. This paper is also nominated for the ‘Best Paper’ award at the HRI conference in 2024.
Workshop: Assistive Applications, Accessibility, and Disability Ethics
Isabel Neto is also a part of the team behind the A3DE workshop, which is integrated into the HRI 2024 programme. The full-day workshop will address the critical accessibility issues in HRI and the ethical considerations surrounding disability-centered design and research. It will feature keynote speakers from academia and industry, panel discussions with expert academic, industry, and disability advocate panellists, and activities and breakout sessions designed to facilitate conversations about the accessibility of the HRI community and assistive technology researchers.
As the Interactive Technologies Institute continues to spearhead innovation in interactive technologies, these research papers signal a promising future where technology facilitates inclusivity, understanding, and collaboration in human-robot interactions.
