Authors: Luke Meyer1*; Gloria A Araiza Illan1; Laura Rachman2; Deniz Başkent1
1University Medical Center Groningen
2Pento Audiology Centre
Background To facilitate engagement during repetitive psychophysical auditory tasks, we propose the use of an alternative interface to the currently used laptop, an interactive humanoid NAO robot. Human-robot interaction (HRI) may help overcome the potential risks related to decreasing engagement and performance during auditory tests.
Method The present study evaluates the HRI focusing on the quality of the interaction between the NAO robot and the participants when used as such an interface. More specifically, we compare the user experience of participants when conducting the auditory tests in both interfaces (the laptop and the NAO robot). We characterise their engagement through the quantitative analysis of the frequency of backchannels (smiles, laughs, frowns, and grimaces) participants show when interacting with both interfaces. The HRI assessment is achieved through the behavioural coding of video recordings of the participants completing the tests on both interfaces, as well as through five questionnaires (Negative Attitudes Towards Robots Scale, System Useability Scale, Use Experience, Similarity/Complementarity Attraction Theory, and the Godspeed) commonly used in HRI research.
Results Preliminary results from correlating the behavioural coding and questionnaires suggest that the NAO robot appears to maintain participants’ engagement well during these tests. Negative correlations were seen between user experience and grimacing, and positive correlations were seen between the System Useability Scale and smiling, and interaction enjoyment and smiling.
Conclusions Based on preliminary results, participants display more positive backchannels (smiling and laughing) when using the robot in comparison to the laptop, and more negative backchannels (frowning and grimacing) when using the laptop. Therefore, HRI analyses show that the NAO could potentially be a reliable alternative interface for the conducting of auditory tests.
