The Impact of a Companion Robot on the Museum Experience of Lone Visitors

  • Subject:The Impact of a Companion Robot on the Museum Experience of Lone Visitors
  • Type:B.Sc./M.Sc.
  • Supervisor:

    Rixen

Überschrift

Topic Description

Social robots have potential to improve human wellbeing by fostering a sense of relatedness and companionship. While many robots are designed to (abstractly) resemble a human, social robots come in many forms and sizes, with some being designed to resemble animals. The commercial robot platform Cupboo offers a furry companion in the shape of a large guinea pig. In this thesis, we want to explore the potential of the Cupboo platform to support human wellbeing in a museum setting. In particular, the thesis will examine whether and how the experience of lone museum visitors can be improved by means of such a companion robot. The thesis work could for example focus on whether the robot provides a pleasant tactile experience throughout the visit, and how visitors accompanied by the robot perceive themselves and others throughout. 

The thesis will be carried out in collaboration with Hertzlab at ZKM in Karlsruhe. In it, the student will first systematically familiarize themselves with the current state of the art in academic literature and commercial companion robots. Following this, the student will develop the concept for a guided museum tour including a pet robot. Finally, the student will evaluate the visitor experience in a field study, and articulate recommendations for companion robots in a museum setting based on the findings.

 

Task Summary    
  1. Related Work   
    Review the state of literature and commercial companion robots to further articulate the research question and to provide theoretical grounding.
  2. Workshop 
    Contribute to a concept for a guided tour involving pet robots at ZKM around the commercially available robot platform Cupboo.
  3. Evaluation and Discussion
    Evaluate visitors’ experience throughout the tour, either choosing an ethnographic or interview-based qualitative research approach.
  4. Recommendations
    Articulate recommendations for the design and integration of companion robots for museum settings.

 

Skills

Required:

  • Human-Robot Interaction
  • User Studies

 

Contact

Jan Rixen

jan.rixen∂kit.edu