Cost-Effective Research Platform for Child-Robot Interaction Studies Using a Smartphone-Based Humanoid Robot with Double Gesture Arms

Sumito Nagasawa; Hatsuko Yoshikubo

Download Paper | Permalink

Conference: 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Portland, Oregon
Publication Date: June 23, 2024
Start Date: June 23, 2024
End Date: July 12, 2024
Conference Session: Multidisciplinary Engineering Division (MULTI) Technical Session 9
Tagged Division: Multidisciplinary Engineering Division (MULTI)
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/47081

Request a correction

Paper Authors

biography

Sumito Nagasawa Ph.D. in Engineering Shibaura Institute of Technology orcid.org/0000-0003-4684-2898

visit author page

Dr. Sumito Nagasawa received Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Tokyo in 2001. He is a Professor, College of Engineering at SIT. His research interests include miniaturized robots using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems technologies and robot education for STEM.

visit author page

biography

Hatsuko Yoshikubo Ph.D. Shibaura Institute of Technology

visit author page

Dr. Hatsuko Yoshikubo obtained Ph. D in English Literature from Chiba University in Japan in 2002. She is currently a Professor in the Innovative Global Program, a research-based full English degree engineering program at the College of Engineering at Shibaura Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan. She is a Principal Investigator of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Research Grants 24K06133 and the Shibaura Institute of Technology Grants for Educational Reform and Research Activity in the AY2024. Her current main research interests are: 1) how including humanities courses in an engineering education curriculum can help students to gain flexibility, and an appreciation of equity, and a greater richness of ideas; and 2) systematic issues impacting the effectiveness of engineering education, specifically in the context of project-based learnings for the engineering education. Below are her recent presentations at international conferences: ASEE 2023, WERA 2023, 2022, 2019, APAIE 2023, 2022, IIAI DSIR 2021, 2020. She obtained the Multidisciplinary Engineering Division’s Best Diversity Paper Award in ASEE 2023 and the Outstanding Paper Award in DSIR 2021.

visit author page

Download Paper | Permalink

Abstract

Background ----- This research aims to develop a smartphone-based interface robot with dual gesture arms for Child-Robot Interaction (CRI). The robot features two gesture arms powered by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators, facilitating offering a CRI research platform. Using a smartphone as the system base, functionality, affordability, and internet connectivity were achieved. In the CRI research, these robots serve as tutors for children, maintaining children's motivation, enhancing learning outcomes. The proposed robot offers child-friendly interfaces, incorporates various sensors, and ensures constant internet connectivity. Essential functions include dual gesture arms for natural communication, a locomotion system for mobility, and an expression presentation function for conveying emotions effectively.

Research Objectives ----- A CRI research platform equipped with a smartphone-based interface robot is proposed. The achievable functions are defined as the following three features and set them as the research goals of this study. 1. Dual Gesture Arms 2. Mobility Mechanism 3. Expression Presentation Function

Methodology (System Design) ----- Since our robot uses the smartphone as a core of the system, it achieves required features with affordable cost. The smartphone-based robot provides a high processing power and incorporates various sensors (including camera, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, touch panel, microphone, infrared sensor, atmospheric pressure, GPS, and fingerprint authentication). Additionally, it offers constant internet connectivity and tools for safeguarding users' confidential personal information.

Results and Discussion (Experimental Assessment) ----- The integration of each function was carried out to prototype and evaluate the interface robot for the CRI research platform. Each joint of the dual gesture arms achieved movements within 2 seconds, necessary for natural communication with children. The prototype gesture arms driven by SMA has 3 degrees of freedom. Although the yaw axis of the shoulder is omitted, by combining the pitch and roll axes of the shoulder, movements similar to the yaw axis can be achieved. Additionally, a thicker frame structure was designed, resulting in higher visibility of the gesture arms.

Conclusion ----- To summarize, our proposal advances the idea of a cost-effective CRI research platform centered around a child learning partner robot, which has dual gesture arms and utilize a smartphone as a core of the system. We plan to deploy this proposed system for actual CRI research and for learning effectiveness measurements.

Citation
Format

Nagasawa, S., & Yoshikubo, H. (2024, June), Cost-Effective Research Platform for Child-Robot Interaction Studies Using a Smartphone-Based Humanoid Robot with Double Gesture Arms Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/47081

TY - CPAPER
AB - Background
-----
This research aims to develop a smartphone-based interface robot with dual gesture arms for Child-Robot Interaction (CRI). The robot features two gesture arms powered by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators, facilitating offering a CRI research platform.
Using a smartphone as the system base, functionality, affordability, and internet connectivity were achieved. In the CRI research, these robots serve as tutors for children, maintaining children&#39;s motivation, enhancing learning outcomes. The proposed robot offers child-friendly interfaces, incorporates various sensors, and ensures constant internet connectivity. Essential functions include dual gesture arms for natural communication, a locomotion system for mobility, and an expression presentation function for conveying emotions effectively.

Research Objectives
-----
A CRI research platform equipped with a smartphone-based interface robot is proposed. The achievable functions are defined as the following three features and set them as the research goals of this study.
1. Dual Gesture Arms
2. Mobility Mechanism
3. Expression Presentation Function

Methodology (System Design)
-----
Since our robot uses the smartphone as a core of the system, it achieves required features with affordable cost. The smartphone-based robot provides a high processing power and incorporates various sensors (including camera, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, touch panel, microphone, infrared sensor, atmospheric pressure, GPS, and fingerprint authentication). Additionally, it offers constant internet connectivity and tools for safeguarding users&#39; confidential personal information.

Results and Discussion (Experimental Assessment)
-----
The integration of each function was carried out to prototype and evaluate the interface robot for the CRI research platform. Each joint of the dual gesture arms achieved movements within 2 seconds, necessary for natural communication with children. The prototype gesture arms driven by SMA has 3 degrees of freedom. Although the yaw axis of the shoulder is omitted, by combining the pitch and roll axes of the shoulder, movements similar to the yaw axis can be achieved. Additionally, a thicker frame structure was designed, resulting in higher visibility of the gesture arms.

Conclusion
-----
To summarize, our proposal advances the idea of a cost-effective CRI research platform centered around a child learning partner robot, which has dual gesture arms and utilize a smartphone as a core of the system. We plan to deploy this proposed system for actual CRI research and for learning effectiveness measurements.
AU - Sumito Nagasawa Ph.D. in Engineering
AU - Hatsuko Yoshikubo Ph.D.
CY - Portland, Oregon
DA - 2024/06/23
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Cost-Effective Research Platform for Child-Robot Interaction Studies Using a Smartphone-Based Humanoid Robot with Double Gesture Arms
UR - https://peer.asee.org/47081
ER -