The development of a robot-based learning companion: a user-centered design approach

Abstract

A computer-vision-based method is widely employed to support the development of a variety of applications. In this vein, this study uses a computer-vision-based method to develop a playful learning system, which is a robot-based learning companion named RobotTell. Unlike existing playful learning systems, a user-centered design (UCD) approach is applied to assess the interface design of the RobotTell System so that the human–robot interaction can be enhanced during the design process. More specifically, the interface of the RobotTell system is assessed based on Nielsen's heuristics. Based on the results of Nielsen's heuristic evaluation, three versions of the RobotTell system were produced. The implications for the design of these three versions of the RobotTell system are discussed.

Keywords:

• learning companion
• robot
• user-centered design
• storytelling
• interface design

Notes on contributors

Yi-Zeng Hsieh was a PhD student at the Department of Computer Science & Information Engineering at National Central University, Taiwan.

Mu-Chun Su is currently a Professor at Computer Science & Information Engineering at National Central University, Taiwan.

Sherry Y. Chen is currently a Professor at Graduate Institute of Network Learning Technology, National Central University, Taiwan, and a Visiting Professor in the School of Information Systems, Computing and Mathematics at Brunel University, UK.

Gow-Dong Chen is currently a Professor at Computer Science & Information Engineering at National Central University, Taiwan.