A human-oriented framework for developing assistive service robots

Abstract

Purpose: Multipurpose robots that can perform a range of useful tasks have the potential to increase the quality of life for many people living with disabilities. Owing to factors such as high system complexity, as-yet unresolved research questions and current technology limitations, there is a need for effective strategies to coordinate the development process.

Method: Integrating established methodologies based on human-centred design and universal design, a framework was formulated to coordinate the robot design process over successive iterations of prototype development.

Results: An account is given of how the framework was practically applied to the problem of developing a personal service robot. Application of the framework led to the formation of several design goals which addressed a wide range of identified user needs. The resultant prototype solution, which consisted of several component elements, succeeded in demonstrating the performance stipulated by all of the proposed metrics.

Conclusions: Application of the framework resulted in the development of a complex prototype that addressed many aspects of the functional and usability requirements of a personal service robot. Following the process led to several important insights which directly benefit the development of subsequent prototypes.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• This research shows how universal design might be used to formulate usability requirements for assistive service robots.

• A framework is presented that guides the process of designing service robots in a human-centred way.

• Through practical application of the framework, a prototype robot system that addressed a range of identified user needs was developed.

Keywords:

• Human-centred design
• universal design
• house of quality
• service robot
• GQM method
• design methodology

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the International Telecommunictions Union (ITU), Enable Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association for their help in this work. The authors would also like to thank Brian Byrne, Adam McCreevey, George Walsh, Eamon Bourke, Donal McCarthy and David McManus for their respective contributions throughout the project.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.