Will hone robot communication skills

Robots are becoming more common in many human-centred spaces, assisting us in tasks that can be unpleasant or difficult for people. However, for this to work well, they must be able to communicate with us clearly. Wallenberg Academy Fellow Ilaria Torre is developing a universal system that can adapt robots’ messages and signals, allowing humans to better understand them.

Robots hold great potential for making society more efficient, such as by providing valuable support for teachers or healthcare professionals. However, if we are to trust robots, they must be able to communicate with us in a way that is easily understood.

Currently, robots can have very different communication systems, which are often based on the robot’s capabilities rather than on human needs. Dr Ilaria Torre at the Chalmers University of Technology will improve robot communication skills. Among other things, she will investigate the non-verbal communication that must supplement robots’ speech for humans to better understand them. How can factors such as movement, sound or light be used to reinforce a robot’s message?

The goal is to create a universal communication system that works for all robots, so that they convey information in a similar way. For example, a robot with arms may wave to attract attention, while a robot that communicates with light may have a waving hand on its display. The communication system should also allow robots to adapt to their surroundings and to people with disabilities.  

Photo: Patrik Lundin