From Psychological Intention Recognition Theories to Adaptive Theory of Mind for Robots

Progress in robots' application to everyday scenarios has increased the interest in human-robot interaction (HRI) research. However, robots' limited social skills are associated with decreased humans' positive attitude during HRI. Here, we put forward the idea of developing adaptive Theory of Mind (ToM) model-based systems for social robotics, able to deal with new situations and interact with different users in new tasks. Therefore, we grouped current research from developmental psychology debating the computational processes underlying ToM for HRI strategy development. Defining a model describing adaptive ToM processes may in fact aid the development of adaptive robotic architectures for more flexible and successful HRI. Finally, we hope with this report to both further promote the cross-talk between the fields of developmental psychology and robotics and inspire future investigations in this direction

On cognitive assistant robots for reducing variability in industrial human-robot activities

In the industrial domain, one important research activity for cognitive robotics is the development of assistant robots. In this work, we show how the use of a cognitive assistant robot can contribute to (i) improving task effectiveness and productivity, (ii) providing autonomy for the human supervisor to make decisions, providing or improving human operators’ skills, and (iii) giving feedback to the human operator in the loop. Our approach is evaluated on variability reduction in a manual assembly system. The overall study and analysis are performed on a model of the assembly system obtained using the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) and tested in a robotic simulated scenario. Results show that a cognitive assistant robot is a useful partner in the role of improving the task effectiveness of human operators and supervisors.This work has been co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union in the framework of the ERDF Operational Program of Catalonia 2014-2020, grant number 001-P-001643. Cecilio Angulo has been partly supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 825619 (AI4EU).Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Leolani: a reference machine with a theory of mind for social communication

Our state of mind is based on experiences and what other people tell us. This may result in conflicting information, uncertainty, and alternative facts. We present a robot that models relativity of knowledge and perception within social interaction following principles of the theory of mind. We utilized vision and speech capabilities on a Pepper robot to build an interaction model that stores the interpretations of perceptions and conversations in combination with provenance on its sources. The robot learns directly from what people tell it, possibly in relation to its perception. We demonstrate how the robot's communication is driven by hunger to acquire more knowledge from and on people and objects, to resolve uncertainties and conflicts, and to share awareness of the per- ceived environment. Likewise, the robot can make reference to the world and its knowledge about the world and the encounters with people that yielded this knowledge.Comment: Invited keynote at 21st International Conference on Text, Speech and Dialogue, https://www.tsdconference.org/tsd2018

A socio-technical approach for assistants in human-robot collaboration in industry 4.0

The introduction of technologies disruptive of Industry 4.0 in the workplace integrated through human cyber-physical systems causes operators to face new challenges. These are reflected in the increased demands presented in the operator's capabilities physical, sensory, and cognitive demands. In this research, cognitive demands are the most interesting. In this perspective, assistants are presented as a possible solution, not as a tool but as a set of functions that amplify human capabilities, such as exoskeletons, collaborative robots for physical capabilities, virtual and augmented reality for sensory capabilities. Perhaps chatbots and softbots for cognitive capabilities, then the need arises to ask ourselves: How can operator assistance systems 4.0 be developed in the context of industrial manufacturing? In which capacities does the operator need more assistance? From the current paradigm of systematization, different approaches are used within the context of the workspace in industry 4.0. Thus, the functional resonance analysis method (FRAM) is used to model the workspace from the sociotechnical system approach, where the relationships between the components are the most important among the functions to be developed by the human-robot team. With the use of simulators for both robots and robotic systems, the behavior of the variability of the human-robot team is analyzed. Furthermore, from the perspective of cognitive systems engineering, the workspace can be studied as a joint cognitive system, where cognition is understood as distributed, in a symbiotic relationship between the human and technological agents. The implementation of a case study as a human-robot collaborative workspace allows evaluating the performance of the human-robot team, the impact on the operator's cognitive abilities, and the level of collaboration achieved in the human-robot team through a set of metrics and proven methods in other areas, such as cognitive systems engineering, human-machine interaction, and ergonomics. We conclude by discussing the findings and outlook regarding future research questions and possible developments.La introducción de tecnologías disruptivas de Industria 4.0 en el lugar de trabajo integradas a través de sistemas ciberfísicos humanos hace que los operadores enfrenten nuevos desafíos. Estos se reflejan en el aumento de las demandas presentadas en las capacidades físicas, sensoriales y cognitivas del operador. En esta investigación, las demandas cognitivas son las más interesantes. En esta perspectiva, los asistentes se presentan como una posible solución, no como una herramienta sino como un conjunto de funciones que amplifican las capacidades humanas, como exoesqueletos, robots colaborativos para capacidades físicas, realidad virtual y aumentada para capacidades sensoriales. Quizás chatbots y softbots para capacidades cognitivas, entonces surge la necesidad de preguntarnos: ¿Cómo se pueden desarrollar los sistemas de asistencia al operador 4.0 en el contexto de la fabricación industrial? ¿En qué capacidades el operador necesita más asistencia? A partir del paradigma actual de sistematización, se utilizan diferentes enfoques dentro del contexto del espacio de trabajo en la industria 4.0. Así, se utiliza el método de análisis de resonancia funcional (FRAM) para modelar el espacio de trabajo desde el enfoque del sistema sociotécnico, donde las relaciones entre los componentes son las más importantes entre las funciones a desarrollar por el equipo humano-robot. Con el uso de simuladores tanto para robots como para sistemas robóticos se analiza el comportamiento de la variabilidad del equipo humano-robot. Además, desde la perspectiva de la ingeniería de sistemas cognitivos, el espacio de trabajo puede ser estudiado como un sistema cognitivo conjunto, donde la cognición se entiende distribuida, en una relación simbiótica entre los agentes humanos y tecnológicos. La implementación de un caso de estudio como un espacio de trabajo colaborativo humano-robot permite evaluar el desempeño del equipo humano-robot, el impacto en las habilidades cognitivas del operador y el nivel de colaboración alcanzado en el equipo humano-robot a través de un conjunto de métricas y métodos probados en otras áreas, como la ingeniería de sistemas cognitivos, la interacción hombre-máquina y la ergonomía. Concluimos discutiendo los hallazgos y las perspectivas con respecto a futuras preguntas de investigación y posibles desarrollos.Postprint (published version

Information and communication technology solutions for outdoor navigation in dementia

INTRODUCTION: Information and communication technology (ICT) is potentially mature enough to empower outdoor and social activities in dementia. However, actual ICT-based devices have limited functionality and impact, mainly limited to safety. What is an ideal operational framework to enhance this field to support outdoor and social activities? METHODS: Review of literature and cross-disciplinary expert discussion. RESULTS: A situation-aware ICT requires a flexible fine-tuning by stakeholders of system usability and complexity of function, and of user safety and autonomy. It should operate by artificial intelligence/machine learning and should reflect harmonized stakeholder values, social context, and user residual cognitive functions. ICT services should be proposed at the prodromal stage of dementia and should be carefully validated within the life space of users in terms of quality of life, social activities, and costs. DISCUSSION: The operational framework has the potential to produce ICT and services with high clinical impact but requires substantial investment