Skip to main content

human-robot interaction risk analysis

What level of risk aversion is observed among humans when interacting with robots?
What are the preferred methods for human-robot interaction in crowded environments?
Which algorithms should roboticists employ to program robots for effective human interaction?
These questions were the focus of a study conducted by mechanical engineers and computer scientists at the University of California San Diego, recently presented at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) 2024 in Japan.
"This study represents the first known investigation into robots that infer human risk perception for intelligent decision-making in everyday contexts," stated Aamodh Suresh, the study's first author, who earned his Ph.D. under Professor Sonia Martinez Diaz in UC San Diego's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He now serves as a postdoctoral researcher at the U.S. Army Research Lab.
"Our goal was to develop a framework to understand human risk aversion in interactions with robots," said Angelique Taylor, the study's second author, who earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering under Professor Laurel Riek at UC San Diego. Taylor is now a faculty member at Cornell Tech in New York.
The team utilized behavioral economics models, deliberating over their selection amidst the pandemic. Consequently, researchers implemented an online experiment to ascertain the optimal model for their study.
The study involved STEM undergraduate and graduate students who participated in a simulation as Instacart shoppers. They were presented with three route options to reach the milk aisle in a grocery store, each spanning between five to 20 minutes. Certain routes exposed them to individuals infected with COVID-19, including one path featuring a severe case.
Each path also carried distinct risks of exposure to individuals with COVID-19 coughing incidents. The shortest route notably exposed participants to a higher concentration of severely ill individuals. Nevertheless, shoppers were motivated by rewards tied to expedient goal attainment.
The researchers were astonished to find a consistent underestimation in survey responses regarding individuals' readiness to risk proximity with COVID-19-infected shoppers. "When there's a reward involved, people seem more willing to take risks," remarked Suresh.
Consequently, in programming robots for human interaction, researchers opted to employ prospect theory, a behavioral economics model pioneered by Daniel Kahneman, Nobel laureate in economics (2002). This theory posits that individuals assess potential losses and gains relative to a reference point.

In this context, individuals tend to weigh losses more heavily than gains. For instance, participants in the study chose to receive $450 rather than taking a 50% chance to win $1100. Thus, subjects focused on obtaining a certain reward promptly rather than evaluating the potential risk of contracting COVID-19.

Researchers also queried individuals on their preferences regarding how robots should convey their intentions. Responses encompassed speech, gestures, and touch screens.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NASA chile scientists comet 3i atlas nickel mystery

NASA and Chilean Scientists Study 3I/ATLAS, A Comet That Breaks the Rules Interstellar visitors are rare guests in our Solar System , but when they appear they often rewrite the rules of astronomy. Such is the case with 3I/ATLAS , a fast-moving object that has left scientists puzzled with its bizarre behaviour. Recent findings from NASA and Chilean researchers reveal that this comet-like body is expelling an unusual plume of nickel — without the iron that typically accompanies it. The discovery challenges conventional wisdom about how comets form and evolve, sparking both excitement and controversy across the scientific community. A Cosmic Outsider: What Is 3I/ATLAS? The object 3I/ATLAS —the third known interstellar traveler after "Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019) —was first detected in July 2025 by the ATLAS telescope network , which scans he skies for potentially hazardous objects. Earlier images from Chile's Vera C. Rubin Observatory had unknowingly captured it, but ...
Post a Comment
Read more

bermuda triangle rogue waves mystery solved

Bermuda Triangle Mystery: Scientist Claims Rogue Waves May Explain Vanishing Ships and Aircraft for decades, the Bermuda Triangle has captured the world's imagination, often described as a supernatural hotspot where ships vanish and aircraft disappear without a trace. From ghostly ships adrift to unexplained plane crashes, this stretch of ocean between Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Florida remains one of the most infamous maritime mysteries. But now, Dr. Simon Boxall, an oceanographer at the University of Southampton , suggests the answer may not be extraterrestrial at all. Instead, he argues that the truth lies in rogue waves — giant, unpredictable surges of water capable of swallowing even the largest ships within minutes. The Bermuda Triangle: A Legacy of Fear and Fascination The Bermuda Triangle has inspired decades of speculation , with theories ranging from UFO abductions to interdimensional rifts. Popular culture, documentaries and countless books have kept the legend alive, of...
Post a Comment
Read more

nist breakthrough particle number concentration formula

NIST Researchers Introduce Breakthrough Formula for Particle Number Concentration Understanding the number of particles in a sample is a fundamental task across multiple scientific fields — from nanotechnology to food science. Scientists use a measure called Particle Number Concentration (PNC) to determine how many particles exist in a given volume, much like counting marbles in a jar. Recently, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a novel formula that calculates particle concentrations with unprecedented accuracy. Their work, published in Analytical Chemistry , could significantly improve precision in drug delivery, nanoplastic assessment and monitoring food additives. Related reading on Nanotechnology advancements: AI systems for real-time flood detection . What is Particle Number Concentration (PNC)? Defining PNC Particle Number Concentration indicates the total count of particles within a specific volume of gas or liquid,...
Post a Comment
Read more