Fetch-and-carry with CERO: observations from a long-term user study with a service robot

Abstract

This paper describes the motivation, methodology, and findings of a long-term usage study of CERO, a service robot intended to assist partly motion-impaired people with the transportation of light objects in an office environment. We describe the user's experiences with utilizing the robot over a period of 3 months, and the overall process of adapting service robot usage as part of a workgroup setting. The results of the study suggest the need for different modes of operation of a robot. We also question the view of service robots as personalized devices only, and point out the importance of providing transitions between remote- and close proximity control in the use of service robots.