Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) is a multidisciplinary field that aims to create seamless and effective communication between humans and robots.
HRI research focuses on developing natural and intuitive interactions, including both verbal and nonverbal communication. One prevalent nonverbal communication approach is the use of hand and arm gestures, which are ubiquitous in daily life. Researchers in HRI have been working on various aspects of gesture-based interaction, such as generating human gestures, enabling robots to recognize these gestures, and designing appropriate robot responses.
Recent advancements in HRI have been driven by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. The AI-HRI community has been exploring various topics, such as trust in HRI, explainable AI for HRI, and service robots. The community has also been investigating the ethical aspects of HRI, as ethics is an inherent part of human-robot interaction.
One of the challenges in HRI research is the design of human-subjects studies, which are essential for collecting data to train machine learning models. Researchers have proposed a clearly defined process for data collection, consisting of three steps: defining the data collection goal, designing the task environment and procedure, and encouraging well-covered and abundant participant responses.
Practical applications of HRI research include:
1. Service robots: Robots that assist humans in various tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, or healthcare.
2. Industrial automation: Robots that work alongside humans in factories, improving efficiency and safety.
3. Assistive technologies: Robots that help people with disabilities, such as mobility aids or communication devices.
A company case study in HRI is HAVEN, a virtual reality (VR) simulation that enables users to interact with a virtual robot. HAVEN was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made in-person HRI studies difficult due to social distancing requirements. The system allows researchers to conduct HRI augmented reality studies using a virtual robot without being in a real environment.
In conclusion, HRI research is a rapidly evolving field that combines AI techniques with human-centered design principles to create natural and effective communication between humans and robots. As the field continues to advance, it is expected to have a significant impact on various industries and applications, ultimately improving the quality of human life.

Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)
Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) Further Reading
1.AI-HRI 2021 Proceedings http://arxiv.org/abs/2109.10836v2 Reuth Mirsky, Megan Zimmerman, Muneed Ahmad, Shelly Bagchi, Felix Gervits, Zhao Han, Justin Hart, Daniel Hernández García, Matteo Leonetti, Ross Mead, Emmanuel Senft, Jivko Sinapov, Jason Wilson2.Championing Research Through Design in HRI http://arxiv.org/abs/1908.07572v1 Michal Luria, John Zimmerman, Jodi Forlizzi3.Hand and Arm Gesture-based Human-Robot Interaction: A Review http://arxiv.org/abs/2209.08229v1 Xihao Wang, Hao Shen, Hui Yu, Jielong Guo, Xian Wei4.AI-HRI Brings New Dimensions to Human-Aware Design for Human-Aware AI http://arxiv.org/abs/2210.11832v1 Richard G. Freedman5.HAVEN: A Unity-based Virtual Robot Environment to Showcase HRI-based Augmented Reality http://arxiv.org/abs/2011.03464v1 Andre Cleaver, Darren Tang, Victoria Chen, Jivko Sinapov6.User, Robot, Deployer: A New Model for Measuring Trust in HRI http://arxiv.org/abs/2109.00861v1 David Cameron, Emily C. Collins7.Proceedings of the AI-HRI Symposium at AAAI-FSS 2020 http://arxiv.org/abs/2010.13830v4 Shelly Bagchi, Jason R. Wilson, Muneeb I. Ahmad, Christian Dondrup, Zhao Han, Justin W. Hart, Matteo Leonetti, Katrin Lohan, Ross Mead, Emmanuel Senft, Jivko Sinapov, Megan L. Zimmerman8.Proceedings of the AI-HRI Symposium at AAAI-FSS 2022 http://arxiv.org/abs/2209.14292v3 Zhao Han, Emmanuel Senft, Muneeb I. Ahmad, Shelly Bagchi, Amir Yazdani, Jason R. Wilson, Boyoung Kim, Ruchen Wen, Justin W. Hart, Daniel Hernández García, Matteo Leonetti, Ross Mead, Reuth Mirsky, Ahalya Prabhakar, Megan L. Zimmerman9.Proceedings of the AI-HRI Symposium at AAAI-FSS 2018 http://arxiv.org/abs/1809.06606v1 Kalesha Bullard, Nick DePalma, Richard G. Freedman, Bradley Hayes, Luca Iocchi, Katrin Lohan, Ross Mead, Emmanuel Senft, Tom Williams10.Towards Formalizing HRI Data Collection Processes http://arxiv.org/abs/2203.08396v1 Zhao Han, Tom WilliamsHuman-Robot Interaction (HRI) Frequently Asked Questions
What is Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)?
Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on creating seamless and effective communication between humans and robots. It involves the development of natural and intuitive interactions, including both verbal and nonverbal communication, to enable humans and robots to work together efficiently and safely.
How does artificial intelligence (AI) contribute to HRI?
AI plays a significant role in advancing HRI by providing techniques for robots to understand and interpret human behavior, make decisions, and learn from experience. AI techniques, such as machine learning and natural language processing, enable robots to recognize human gestures, understand spoken commands, and respond appropriately to various situations.
What are the ethical considerations in HRI?
Ethical considerations in HRI include ensuring the safety and well-being of humans, respecting privacy, and avoiding biases in robot behavior. Researchers in HRI are also concerned with developing robots that can understand and adhere to social norms, as well as designing systems that promote trust and transparency between humans and robots.
How are human-subjects studies conducted in HRI research?
Human-subjects studies are essential in HRI research for collecting data to train machine learning models and evaluate robot performance. These studies typically involve a clearly defined process, including defining the data collection goal, designing the task environment and procedure, and encouraging well-covered and abundant participant responses. Researchers must also consider ethical guidelines and obtain informed consent from participants.
What is the role of gesture-based interaction in HRI?
Gesture-based interaction is a prevalent nonverbal communication approach in HRI that involves the use of hand and arm gestures. Researchers work on various aspects of gesture-based interaction, such as generating human gestures, enabling robots to recognize these gestures, and designing appropriate robot responses. This approach helps create more natural and intuitive communication between humans and robots.
Can you provide an example of a company case study in HRI?
HAVEN is a virtual reality (VR) simulation developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made in-person HRI studies difficult due to social distancing requirements. HAVEN enables users to interact with a virtual robot, allowing researchers to conduct HRI augmented reality studies without being in a real environment. This system demonstrates how technology can adapt to challenges and continue advancing HRI research.
What are the future directions of HRI research?
Future directions in HRI research include further integration of AI techniques, improving robot autonomy, and addressing ethical concerns. Researchers will also focus on developing robots that can better understand and adapt to human emotions, intentions, and social cues. As HRI continues to advance, it is expected to have a significant impact on various industries and applications, ultimately improving the quality of human life.
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