Evaluation of Using Semi-Autonomy Features in Mobile Robotic Telepresence Systems

Mobile robotic telepresence systems used for social interaction scenarios require that users steer robots in a remote environment. As a consequence, a heavy workload can be put on users if they are unfamiliar with using robotic telepresence units. One way to lessen this workload is to automate certain operations performed during a telepresence session in order to assist remote drivers in navigating the robot in new environments. Such operations include autonomous robot localization and navigation to certain points in the home and automatic docking of the robot to the charging station. In this paper we describe the implementation of such autonomous features along with user evaluation study. The evaluation scenario is focused on the first experience on using the system by novice users. Importantly, that the scenario taken in this study assumed that participants have as little as possible prior information about the system. Four different use-cases were identified from the user behaviour analysis.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Plan Nacional de Investigación, proyecto DPI2011-25483

Effective Semi-autonomous Telepresence

We investigate mobile telepresence robots to address the lack of mobility in traditional videoconferencing. To operate these robots, intuitive and powerful interfaces are needed. We present CoBot-2, an indoor mobile telepresence robot with autonomous capabilities, and a browser-based interface to control it. CoBot-2 and its web interface have been used extensively to remotely attend meetings and to guide local visitors to destinations in the building. From the web interface, users can control CoBot-2’s camera, and drive with either directional commands, by clicking on a point on the floor of the camera image, or by clicking on a point in a map. We conduct a user study in which we examine preferences among the three control interfaces for novice users. The results suggest that the three control interfaces together cover well the control preferences of different users, and that users often prefer to use a combination of control interfaces. CoBot-2 also serves as a tour guide robot, and has been demonstrated to safely navigate through dense crowds in a long-term trial.</p