Beyond Actuated Tangibles: Introducing Robots to Interactive Tabletops

Abstract

Tangible user interfaces (TUIs) have been shown to support interaction on tabletops and interactive surfaces. We propose integrating robots as interactive partners in tabletop interfaces. We suggest a continuum of physical interfaces on interactive tabletops, starting from static tabletop TUIs, progressing to actuated TUIs and ending with small social tabletop robots that provide an engaging, partner-like interaction experience. In this report we motivate a vision of interactive robotic assistants and present our design of Spidey, a tabletop robot prototype. We conclude with findings from a focus group observation session reflecting on designing tabletop interaction mediated by touch, actuated TUIs, and social robots.