Background

To design and develop a solution that requires a combination of human and robot interactions, we use the Socio-Cognitive Engineering (SCE) method. SCE is a framework that among other things promotes human collaboration and learning with technology-based systems [3]. It provides a clear structure, consisting of a foundation, specification, and evaluation. It allows us to take into account stakeholders and their values, and create claims through functions, effects, and use cases. The incremental and iterative process taken in the SCE method combines human factors and related technology to form re-usable solutions.

Generally, technology does not work in isolation [1]. In the context of our problem, the NAO's environment, knowledge, and goals are intertwined with that of the human. SCE allows us to combine the human and technological aspects or our problem. Within different fields of studies we can find relevant philosophies and approaches applicable to our problem.

The field of User-Centered Design tells us that a stakeholder analysis is a significant part of designing solutions. It is important to map the underlying motivation and values of parties in order to understand which activities they would be drawn to. This also goes for the context of this reseach, as done by Han et al. [2]. Each of the involved parties (the NAO, the PwD, the Guardian) can be modeled through the SCE methods such as user stories and value stories, which allows us to a well-rounded description of a stakeholder and their goals.

In the Computer Science field, creating functions (or requirements) as part of the design process is very common. Computer Science also knows many different code development strategies. This field requires the developers to critically think about not only what technological features are possible but also which ones are necessary and useful. It gives us a better perspective of the technological side of the problem.

The fields of cognitive science and human-robot interaction help us understand how certain robot- or human behaviour is interpreted by users and how those interpretations can be used that to achieve a certain goal. It would for example be beneficial to develop a technology that seems trustworthy by having it mimic human behaviour [4] [5]. These fields help us utilize human reactions in order to create a better solution to our problem.

As is clear now, multiple sciences are necessary to integrate in order to provide a clear perspective on the possible solutions to our problem. Socio-Cognitive Engineering allows us to combine the methods found in those fields into an interdisciplinary process of development.

References

[1] Week 3.1a slide 27.

[2] Han, A., Radel, J., McDowd, J. M., & Sabata, D. (2016). Perspectives of people with dementia about meaningful activities: a synthesis. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias, 31(2), 115-123)

[3] Sharples, Mike. (2006). Socio-cognitive Engineering. Encyclopedia of Human Computer Interaction. 10.4018/978-1-59140-562-7.ch080.

[4] Fiorini, L. Advancement on Human-Robot Interaction: Perception, Cognitive Architecture and Field Tests. Int J of Soc Robotics 15, 369–370 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-022-00953-3

[5] Shimada, Michihiro & Yamauchi, Kazunori & Ishiguro, Hiroshi & Itakura, Shoji. (2008). Studying the Influence of the Chameleon Effect on Humans using an Android. 767-772. 10.1109/IROS.2008.4650853.