Jibo Community Social Robot Research Platform @Scale

Abstract

The lack of shared community social robot platform has been one of the main reasons that made scalable and replicable research activities in human-robot interaction (HRI) and broader cross-community collaborations difficult. In this tutorial, we introduce Community Social Robot Research Platform, Jibo, which was once a commercialized robot companion for the home. This commercially strengthened robot can now serve as a shared community resource and research infrastructure, amplifying the potential for scalable, affordable, and replicable social intelligence research. Prior to the tutorial, we will recruit interdisciplinary community researchers to try out the Jibo Research Prototype for at least two weeks and bring their lived experience to the tutorial. The tutorial program consists of four parts: (1) introduction of the envisioned community research infrastructure; (2) hands-on prototyping experience using the platform; (3) share-outs from participants that have hosted the prototype platform; and (4) reflection activity for the future of the prototype, including spaces for generating recommendations for the envisioned community research platform. The outcome of the tutorial will include a consolidated report of community needs, desires, and recommendations for the future development of the prototype. We will also gather participants' reflections of the tutorial and potential of the prototype in their research.