From a Robotic Vacuum Cleaner to Robot Companion

摘要

This paper shows preliminary results of the project DR4GHE (Domestic Robot 4 Gaming Health and Eco-sustainability). The main purpose is to develop a Robot Companion for domestic applications able to advise and suggest good practices to users. Interaction and engagement with the user are introduced providing to the Robot Vacuum Cleaner RVC an additional intelligence and leveraging the existing level of acceptance. Morphological aspects, in addition to behavioral traits, assume a key role in the perceptual transition of the RVC from object to subject. Human-robot interaction takes place on two levels: direct interaction, in particular with visual and sound signals; and mediated interaction, through a GUI for smartphone and tablets.