Course syllabus for Human-robot interaction design

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-02 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameMänniska-robot interaktionsdesign
  • CodeDAT545
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPIDE
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyComputer Science and Engineering, Software Engineering
  • DepartmentCOMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 23121
  • Maximum participants30 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Minimum participants4
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0122 Project 4 c
Grading: TH		0 c0 c0 c4 c0 c0 c
0222 Written and oral assignments 3.5 c
Grading: UG		0 c0 c0 c3.5 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

To be eligible for the course the student must have a Bachelor degree of 180 credits.
Additionally, a course in Human - computer interaction, 7.5 credits, is required.

Aim

This course will give an understanding of the Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) research field, HRI design, its application areas, and how HRI can impact society.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding
  • define what a robot is and its interaction modalities.
  • describe stages of the design process for human-robot interaction.
  • describe methods of designing human-robot interactions.
  • describe evaluation methods used in human-robot interaction.
  • describe principles of experience design that can be integrated in human-robot interaction.
  • describe ethical considerations when designing robot interactions in our society.
Competence and skills
  • identify and collate user requirements to design human-robot interaction.
  • identify suitable human-robot interaction modalities for the context of use.
  • design robot interactions with user experience principles in mind.
  • construct a robotic low-fidelity prototype using a human-centered approach.
  • carry out user evaluations to inform the design process and make critical design considerations.
Judgement and approach
  • Decide on human-robot interaction design decisions based on the users' needs.
  • Make informed evaluations and analyses of human-robot interaction design.
  • Derive critical and ethical implications for how human-robot interaction that can impact our society.

Content

The research and development of robots range from domestic robots, autonomous
robotic agents, virtual agents, and industrial robots. Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) is
a discipline that is concerned with how we design, develop, and evaluate robotic agents
with the user in the loop. This course introduces the HRI design practices, evaluation
methods and approaches. In particular, the course will apply human-centered
approaches to design for the (1) abilities to consider in a robot, the (2) interaction
modalities a robot should have, and (3) the form and appearance of a robot. The course
will also give an understanding of the impact robots can have on our society, and the
importance of the ethical and critical considerations when designing them.

Organisation

The course is based on lectures, exercises, project, and a report. Some of the exercises
and the project are conducted in groups.

Examination including compulsory elements

To pass the course, students must receive a passing grade in both modules. The grade
for the entire course will be determined by the project report.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.