A Modular Interface for Controlling Interactive Behaviors of a Humanoid Robot for Socio-Emotional Skills Training

Seßner J, Porstmann A, Kirst S, Merz N, Dziobek I, Franke J (2022)

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2022

Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

Pages Range: 230-235

Conference Proceedings Title: RO-MAN 2022 - 31st IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication: Social, Asocial, and Antisocial Robots

Event location: Napoli IT

ISBN: 9781728188591

DOI: 10.1109/RO-MAN53752.2022.9900704

Abstract

The usage of social robots in psychotherapy has gained interest in various applications. In the context of therapy for children with socio-emotional impairments, for example autism spectrum conditions, the first approaches have already been successfully evaluated in research. In this context, the robot can be seen as a tool for therapists to foster interaction with the children. To ensure a successful integration of social robots into therapy sessions, an intuitive and comprehensive interface for the therapist is needed to guarantee save and appropriate human-robot interaction. This publication addresses the development of a graphical user interface for robot-assisted therapy to train socio-emotional skills in children on the autism spectrum. The software follows a generic and modular approach. Furthermore, a robotic middleware is used to control the robot and the user interface is based on a local web application. During therapy sessions, the therapist interface is used to control the robot's reactions and provides additional information from emotion and arousal recognition software. The approach is implemented with the humanoid robot Pepper (Softbank Robotics). A pilot study is carried out with four experts from a child and youth psychiatry to evaluate the feasibility and user experience of the therapist interface. In sum, the user experience and usefulness can be rated positively.

Authors with CRIS profile

Julian Seßner Lehrstuhl für Fertigungsautomatisierung und Produktionssystematik (FAPS) Andy Porstmann Lehrstuhl für Fertigungsautomatisierung und Produktionssystematik (FAPS) Nina Merz Lehrstuhl für Fertigungsautomatisierung und Produktionssystematik (FAPS) Jörg Franke Lehrstuhl für Fertigungsautomatisierung und Produktionssystematik (FAPS)

Involved external institutions

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Seßner, J., Porstmann, A., Kirst, S., Merz, N., Dziobek, I., & Franke, J. (2022). A Modular Interface for Controlling Interactive Behaviors of a Humanoid Robot for Socio-Emotional Skills Training. In RO-MAN 2022 - 31st IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication: Social, Asocial, and Antisocial Robots (pp. 230-235). Napoli, IT: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..

MLA:

Seßner, Julian, et al. "A Modular Interface for Controlling Interactive Behaviors of a Humanoid Robot for Socio-Emotional Skills Training." Proceedings of the 31st IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2022, Napoli Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2022. 230-235.

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