Playing Games with Robots – A Method for Evaluating Human-Robot Interaction

Some of the acute technological challenges of the near future may relate to the coexistence of intelligent robots and humans. Robotic technology is quickly advancing and some believe that this rapid progress will have a huge effect on people and societies in the coming few decades (Moravec, 1999). Norman (Norman, 2004) suggests that we are already surrounded by simple robots, such as computerised dishwashers and cars. However, these devices still lack the capability and intelligence required for us to recognize them as “robots”. Forlizzi and Disalvo (Forlizzi & Disalvo, 2006) demonstrated that even the introduction of the simple, popular and almost ubiquitous Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner had raised important human-robot interaction (HRI) questions, and changed social structures and patterns within domestic environments. Following, it is crucial that we understand the various issues and problems surrounding interaction with robots and be able to design effective interfaces that will allow us to work collaboratively with robotic interfaces.