ROB 204: Introduction to Human-Robot Systems at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

TL;DR

This paper describes the ROB 204 course at the University of Michigan, which teaches students about human-robot interaction and socially-engaged design to improve robot usability and societal impact.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive curriculum on human-robot systems focusing on sociotechnical design and interaction, with teaching methods and practical recommendations.

Findings

Students gain understanding of human capabilities informing robot design

Students learn to assess usability of robotic systems

Course enhances appreciation for human-robot interaction

Abstract

The University of Michigan Robotics program focuses on the study of embodied intelligence that must sense, reason, act, and work with people to improve quality of life and productivity equitably across society. ROB 204, part of the core curriculum towards the undergraduate degree in Robotics, introduces students to topics that enable conceptually designing a robotic system to address users' needs from a sociotechnical context. Students are introduced to human-robot interaction (HRI) concepts and the process for socially-engaged design with a Learn-Reinforce-Integrate approach. In this paper, we discuss the course topics and our teaching methodology, and provide recommendations for delivering this material. Overall, students leave the course with a new understanding and appreciation for how human capabilities can inform requirements for a robotics system, how humans can interact with a robot, and how to assess the usability of robotic systems.