a. Prototype

For our evaluation, we decided that that the functionality we want to test, is the ability of the Dogg0 (Miro-E) robot to entertain and interact with the PwD. Dogg0 will be introduced to the PwD in a safe and confined environment, like her room or living room. 

In the final product, Miro-E needs to have the following capabilities to interact with the PwD:

• Locate the PwD with its camera sensors using a person/ face detector model.
• Interact with the PwD by making friendly noises and movements.
• Engage with the Pwd by reacting to touch with its tactile sensors.
• React to basic voice/ sound commands like “sit”, “sleep” or “go” or clapping your hands.

For our evaluation we decided to focus on one functionality, namely Interacting with the PwD by making friendly noises and movements, for example think of a little dance the Dogg0 will do. For simplification purposes there is assumed that the PwD is the only person in the view of the Miro-E and that there are no obstacles present.

The MiroCloud environment is used to program an interaction sequence for the Dogg0. This can be modeled as a finite state machine in which the states of the dogg0 are determined by the actions of the PwD. These actions include petting the dogg0, or a sound command (in this case a clap). For every state the dogg0’s behavior is hard-coded to come over as natural and smooth as possible.