Aerospace medicine and biology. A continuing bibliography (supplement 231)

This bibliography lists 284 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in March 1982

Towards Multi-UAV and Human Interaction Driving System Exploiting Human Mental State Estimation

This paper addresses the growing human-multi-UAV interaction issue. Current active approaches towards a reliable multi-UAV system are reviewed. This brings us to the conclusion that the multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) control paradigm is segmented into two main scopes: i) autonomous control and coordination within the group of UAVs, and ii) a human centered approach with helping agents and overt behavior monitoring. Therefore, to move further with the future of human-multi-UAV interaction problem, a new perspective is put forth. In the following sections, a brief understanding of the system is provided, followed by the current state of multi-UAV research and how taking the human pilot's physiology into account could improve the interaction. This idea is developed first by detailing what physiological computing is, including mental states of interest and their associated physiological markers. Second, the article concludes with the proposed approach for Human-multi-UAV interaction control and future plans

An exploration of factors influencing human responses to short term interaction with a pet robot

Past research has found that intervention with Paro, a seal robot, on healthy adults can improve psychophysiological responses (Mitsui et al. 2001a,b, Kawaguchi et al. 2012). According to Bethel & Murphy (2010), psychophysiological study focuses on understanding human emotion and behaviour during an event through observation, physiological and psychological measures. However, these previous studies of Paro were limited by small participant sizes (less than 10 participants), and did not investigate the effectiveness of Paro in reducing stress such as environmental stress. Furthermore, little is known about the circumstances in which interacting with Paro can help to reduce stress as indicated by changes in psychophysiological responses. Three studies were conducted in laboratory settings, in order to limit any extraneous variables that can affect the psychophysiological responses. This thesis aims to identify factors that can influence psychophysiological responses to short-term interaction with a Paro in the healthy adult population. It also aims to understand how the factors affect the effectiveness of Paro intervention in reducing effects of stress. The psychophysiological responses were measured using self-reports, physiological sensors (skin conductance responses, heart rate, and heart rate variability) and video recording. The stress used in this thesis is induced environmental noise. A study was conducted (n = 76) to explore which features of Paro (active and inactive) and of human behaviour towards the robot (talking and stroking) were responsible for any effects it creates. It was found that interacting with Paro aroused skin conductance responses and its presence during the intervention increased positive moods. At the same time, the positive moods influenced the effectiveness of the Paro intervention in reducing stress. A subsequent study (n = 104) compared the effects of interacting with an active Paro with the effects of stroking a furry bolster, and explored the stress reducing effect of Paro intervention as a pre-stress treatment. The novelty effect of Paro in the intervention was also investigated. It was found that the Paro intervention was not enough to minimize and reduce the impact of induced stress. However, there was a trend that suggests the Paro intervention has more impact in lessening the stress than the bolster intervention as indicated by improvements in physiological responses (such as heart rate and heart rate variability). At the same time, it was found that novelty affected how participants interacted with the Paro (based on video observation during the intervention), but did not change the positive effect of the Paro intervention. A final study (n = 104) explored two intervention formats: either Paro or bolster as preand post-stress intervention. This study also explored the effectiveness of Paro or bolster intervention using a mathematical task. It was found that the Paro intervention was more suitable as a post-stress intervention, as suggested by improvement in physiological responses (heart rate and heart rate variability). However, no improvement in math performance was found in either Paro or bolster interventions. Additionally, in this study and Study 2, the bolster intervention showed the importance of stroking soft fur in reducing stress and negative moods. There are five key findings of this thesis: Large samples of data were obtained from (i) healthy young adults (n = 284). Paro intervention is more effective as (ii) post-stress treatment, in terms of reducing effects of (iii) induced environmental stress in (iv) healthy adults. The thesis also found (v) factors that influenced the changes in psychophysiological responses and the effectiveness of Paro interventions such as stressors and intervention formats

Dog behaviour and ethology

Dogs engage in various interactions with artificial agents (UMOs) but it is not clear whether they recognize UMOs as social agents. Jealous behaviour emerges when an important relationship is threatened by another individual, but only when the intruder is a social agent. We investigated whether UMOs elicit jealous behaviour in dogs. We tested three groups of 15 dogs, each group observed different behaviour of the UMO: mechanistic movement, non-social or social behaviour. Then, the owner interacted with another dog, the UMO and a magazine while ignoring the subject. Dogs displayed more rival-oriented behaviour and attempt to interrupt the owner-rival interaction in case of the other dog and UMO compared to the magazine (the latter mainly occurred in the Social UMO group). However, they showed less owner- and interaction-oriented behaviour in case of the UMO. Thus, although some elements of jealous behaviour emerged toward the UMO, the results are not conclusive; Resumo: Comportamento e Etologia Canina Os cães interagem com agentes artificiais (UMOs), mas não sabemos se os reconhecem como agentes sociais. O comportamento de ciúme surge quando uma relação importante é ameaçada por outro indivíduo, mas apenas quando o rival é social. Investigámos se os UMOs geram comportamento de ciúme nos cães. Testámos três grupos de 15 cães, cada grupo observou diferentes comportamentos do UMO: comportamento mecânico, não-social ou social. Posteriormente, o dono interagiu com o outro cão, o UMO e uma revista, enquanto ignorava a cobaia. Os cães demonstraram mais comportamento orientado ao rival e tentaram interromper a interação dono-rival mais vezes no caso do outro cão e do UMO comparado com a revista (principalmente no grupo do UMO Social). Porém, os cães mostraram menos comportamento dirigido ao dono e à interação no caso do UMO. Portanto, apesar de alguns elementos de comportamento de ciúme surgirem com o UMO, os resultados não são conclusivos

Understanding Anthropomorphism in Service Provision: A Meta-Analysis of Physical Robots, Chatbots, and other AI

An increasing number of firms introduce service robots, such as physical robots and virtual chatbots, to provide services to customers. While some firms use robots that resemble human beings by looking and acting humanlike to increase customers’ use intention of this technology, others employ machinelike robots to avoid uncanny valley effects, assuming that very humanlike robots may induce feelings of eeriness. There is no consensus in the service literature regarding whether customers’ anthropomorphism of robots facilitates or constrains their use intention. The present meta-analysis synthesizes data from 11,053 individuals interacting with service robots reported in 108 independent samples. The study synthesizes previous research to clarify this issue and enhance understanding of the construct. We develop a comprehensive model to investigate relationships between anthropomorphism and its antecedents and consequences. Customer traits and predispositions (e.g., computer anxiety), sociodemographics (e.g., gender), and robot design features (e.g., physical, nonphysical) are identified as triggers of anthropomorphism. Robot characteristics (e.g., intelligence) and functional characteristics (e.g., usefulness) are identified as important mediators, although relational characteristics (e.g., rapport) receive less support as mediators. The findings clarify contextual circumstances in which anthropomorphism impacts customer intention to use a robot. The moderator analysis indicates that the impact depends on robot type (i.e., robot gender) and service type (i.e., possession-processing service, mental stimulus-processing service). Based on these findings, we develop a comprehensive agenda for future research on service robots in marketing

Autonomous, Context-Sensitive, Task Management Systems and Decision Support Tools I: Human-Autonomy Teaming Fundamentals and State of the Art

Recent advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining and extraction, and especially in sensor technology have resulted in the availability of a vast amount of digital data and information and the development of advanced automated reasoners. This creates the opportunity for the development of a robust dynamic task manager and decision support tool that is context sensitive and integrates information from a wide array of on-board and off aircraft sourcesa tool that monitors systems and the overall flight situation, anticipates information needs, prioritizes tasks appropriately, keeps pilots well informed, and is nimble and able to adapt to changing circumstances. This is the first of two companion reports exploring issues associated with autonomous, context-sensitive, task management and decision support tools. In the first report, we explore fundamental issues associated with the development of an integrated, dynamic, flight information and automation management system. We discuss human factors issues pertaining to information automation and review the current state of the art of pilot information management and decision support tools. We also explore how effective human-human team behavior and expectations could be extended to teams involving humans and automation or autonomous systems

Calming Effects of Touch in Human, Animal, and Robotic Interaction—Scientific State-of-the-Art and Technical Advances

Small everyday gestures such as a tap on the shoulder can affect the way humans feel and act. Touch can have a calming effect and alter the way stress is handled, thereby promoting mental and physical health. Due to current technical advances and the growing role of intelligent robots in households and healthcare, recent research also addressed the potential of robotic touch for stress reduction. In addition, touch by non-human agents such as animals or inanimate objects may have a calming effect. This conceptual article will review a selection of the most relevant studies reporting the physiological, hormonal, neural, and subjective effects of touch on stress, arousal, and negative affect. Robotic systems capable of non-social touch will be assessed together with control strategies and sensor technologies. Parallels and differences of human-to-human touch and human-to-non-human touch will be discussed. We propose that, under appropriate conditions, touch can act as (social) signal for safety, even when the interaction partner is an animal or a machine. We will also outline potential directions for future research and clinical relevance. Thereby, this review can provide a foundation for further investigations into the beneficial contribution of touch by different agents to regulate negative affect and arousal in humans

Simulating activities: Relating motives, deliberation, and attentive coordination

Activities are located behaviors, taking time, conceived as socially meaningful, and usually involving interaction with tools and the environment. In modeling human cognition as a form of problem solving (goal-directed search and operator sequencing), cognitive science researchers have not adequately studied “off-task” activities (e.g., waiting), non-intellectual motives (e.g., hunger), sustaining a goal state (e.g., playful interaction), and coupled perceptual-motor dynamics (e.g., following someone). These aspects of human behavior have been considered in bits and pieces in past research, identified as scripts, human factors, behavior settings, ensemble, flow experience, and situated action. More broadly, activity theory provides a comprehensive framework relating motives, goals, and operations. This paper ties these ideas together, using examples from work life in a Canadian High Arctic research station. The emphasis is on simulating human behavior as it naturally occurs, such that “working” is understood as an aspect of living. The result is a synthesis of previously unrelated analytic perspectives and a broader appreciation of the nature of human cognition. Simulating activities in this comprehensive way is useful for understanding work practice, promoting learning, and designing better tools, including human-robot systems