Toward End-User Programming for Robots in Stores

Abstract

We develop for social service robots in stores an end-user programming tool that will enable retail managers and sales workers who lack programming expertise to easily prepare promotional contents for robots for such tasks as invitations and advertisements. First we interviewed people who have experience in retail stores and identified both types of expected tasks and the required input for robots to perform such tasks. Then we prepared an initial version of an end-user programming tool. Based on our experience with this early interface, we discuss the 'hidden input' that should also be provided for social service robots so that they can appropriately perform the given tasks.