Social Robot
After submitting my ideas for an Alexa skill around removing stains from textiles, I received a research grant to explore and develop opportunities for “service robots'' in an institutional college.
Goal
The robot was supposed to be an Amazon Astro robot or a similar device which should be implemented in a variety of capacities in the Technology Center on the campus of Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, PA. This included that it should serve
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as a “welcome” robot for visitors to the building for example prospective students and their families
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as an information assistant robot for computing and non-CIS students who study and socialize in the building
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as a real-world programming challenge for students in our Interaction Design program
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as a platform to explore other technologies such as facial recognition software and cloud computing.
Beyond these four specific outcomes, this project was to give insights on barriers to the concept of social robots as they become more and more integrated in society.
Learning Outcome
I was able to practice and enhance the skills I studied in my courses and to apply them to an actual product. It has allowed me to plan a project from scratch and to transform the plan into a usable product. Thus, I could experience how the theoretical content of the classes can be applied to real-world problems.
This research experience confirmed for me that I am on the right track with my studies in CIS and UX and it impacted how to continue regarding class choices. I deeply enjoyed the work of researching possible users and tasks and of designing and developing products and services in a goal-driven environment. Afterall, I was also able to use the skills I learned in class in my summer research project and in my internships during my semester abroad.