In the frame of BMBF's announcement "Robots for assistance functions: Interaction Strategies" (RA2) eight research projects are funded which focus on human-robot interaction (HRI) in various service and assistance scenarios of everyday life. The main objective of the accompanying project GINA(hochwertig Gestaltete INteraktionsstrategien für service- und Assistenzrobotik) is to gain knowledge about designing intuitive und high quality HRI based on the work in the eight funded projects. Apart from identifying generalizable best practices, specific research will be conducted in three focus areas ("Product", "Technology" and "Process").
Robots are common in industry, but are used rather rarely in the private sector, although it could be fascinating to have some support by assistance of service robots in everyday life. One thing, however, is clear: Robots are different in many respects compared to the other devices we daily use. They are able to move autonomously and actively approach users. Some are even able to communicate and be aware of social needs. Thus, not only the robot's action itself, but how these actions are performed is important. Humans have to interact with robots to express their expectations. Exactly this interaction between human and robots has to be designed in a way allowing a smooth and - in the long run - a pleasant cooperation. The interdisciplinary project GINA focuses on "good" human-robot interaction. How should robots look like, what capabilities should they have to live together with humans? How to involve future users in early stages of the development of robots? Which ethical and legal issues are relevant?
As an accompanying project GINA supports networking and knowledge exchange across the funded project of BMBF's RA2 announcement. Furthermore, the DLR conducts research in the focus area "technology". Besides intention and context detection a VR simulator for prototyping will be developed. The results of this research shall be used by all project partners and provide valuable support for all projects.
