Where's My Robot Butler? Investigating Flaws of Current Robots and What to Do about Them

Abstract 
The robots of science fiction have been around for over a century, but personal robots to date have failed to take off. What is holding these systems back? This talk will touch on flaws of current robotic systems, especially in the space of nonverbal expression, and begin to unpack ways that roboticists can handle these issues and lead toward the helpful household robots of the future.

One talk topic will cover touch interactions with robots, from how to improve them to how to leverage them for playful exercise interventions. We will also talk about what aspects of robot sound may be most detrimental and how to mitigate the negative impact of robot sound. Attendees will learn more about how to add playful repartee to robot systems, and take away parting messages about key considerations and major open challenges in the design of personal robots.

Bio
Dr. Naomi T. Fitter is an Assistant Professor in the School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering at Oregon State University. Her past degrees include a B.S. and B.A. in mechanical engineering and Spanish from the University of Cincinnati and an M.S.E. and Ph.D. in robotics and mechanical engineering and applied mechanics from the University of Pennsylvania, and she completed her postdoctoral work at the University of Southern California. As a member of the Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CoRIS) Institute, Dr. Fitter aims to equip robots with the ability to engage and empower people in interactions from playful high-fives to challenging physical therapy routines.