Inclusive Human-Robot Interaction

In our research, we aim to understand, design and develop this interplay between humans and robots  (sometimes also defined as otherware) with a specific focus on inclusion. This may mean to design robots which can help a person to overcome physical or bodily limitations. But it also means to design robots which can amplify human skills and complement humans instead of replacing them. As a result, our research is interested, first and foremost, to understand people and social context and explore how robots may provide benefits. While robots may have some level of autonomy,  most scenarios require intermediate levels of autonomy, shared autonomy, and human-in-the-loop designs. Consequently, our research aims to address this intersection between humans and robots by understanding and demonstrating how humans can interact, potentially intervene, and eventually collaborate with robots. In addition to the sheer effectiveness of novel interaction technologies and designs, questions of user trust, awareness, and acceptance will become a key research challenge for robotic systems.