PROGRAMMING COMPUTER CONTROLLED SYSTEMS BY NON-EXPERTS

Abstract

Existing computer-controlled systems lack both teachability and adaptability. It is difficult for end users to specify new procedures to them, or even to modify old ones. This paper introduces two case studies of how non-programmers may define and modify procedures, an activity they are encouraged to conceptualize as teaching rather than programming. In contrast to many AI approaches to learning, the emphasis is on making the systems accessible through a suitably-engineered human-machine interface. The first system allows a teacher to correct a previously-taught robot action sequence by making on-line adjustments using his natural verbal ability. The second is a programming metaphor for office users which complements the object-oriented method of conventional direct manipulation systems by providing an "office clerk" that the user can instruct by giving examples and commands.