Communicating with Robots and Bots from edX

Although there are some robots you might never get to meet (or might hope you never meet), such as those sent to space, war or rescue situations, many other robots and bots are being developed to populate people's homes, the online spaces they frequent, their workplaces, and the social spaces they visit.

This course explores how people communicate with robots and bots in everyday life, both now and into the future.

Module 1 discusses the difficulties of defining what a robot is, as well as briefly introducing bots.

Module 2 focuses on bots, chatbots and socialbots in detail, to consider how people communicate with these programs in online spaces, as well as some ethical questions these interactions raise.

Robots in the home are the subject of Module 3, with a discussion of robots designed to act as personal assistants leading into some examples of assistive and care robots, as well as telepresence robots that allow people to interact with one another at a distance through a robot.

Module 4 considers robots at work, from the potential of telepresence robots to enable remote operations, to robots designed to share people's workspaces, and potentially even take their jobs. One example of a public space where robots might alter people's working and social lives greatly is on the roads with the development of self-driving vehicles, robots that need to be able to communicate with their passengers as well as with other road users.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How people interpret robots and bots as communicating, social, even emotional others
Whether robots and bots need to communicate in humanlike ways to be understood

The potential of robots with non-humanlike form, behaviour and communication
Some ways to define what robots and bots are

How people interpret robots and bots as communicating, social, even emotional others
Whether robots and bots need to communicate in humanlike ways to be understood
The potential of robots with non-humanlike form, behaviour and communication
Some ways to define what robots and bots are

Syllabus

Module 1: Robots, bots and communication

How robots are presented in popular culture and the media

Ways to define a robot

Why people build (or don't build) humanoid or humanlike robots

The difference between robots and bots

Module 2: Bots and socialbots

What it's like to interact with some bots

How and why bots are designed to be humanlike in order to be 'socialbots'

Broader conceptions of bots and their activities in digital spaces

Socialbots and bots as they become more specifically embodied

Module 3: Robots in the home

The potential of more sophisticated robots designed to act as personal assistants

Robots that do more practical work around the home

Assistive and care robots, designed to help older adults and people with disabilities of all ages

Telepresence robots that allow people to interact with one another at a distance in more flexible and active ways than teleconferencing technologies such as Skype or Facetime

Module 4: Robots at work and on the road

Remote operations as an extension of telepresence

Robots at work more generally and the question of whether your job might be at risk

The introduction of self-driving and semi-autonomous vehicles onto road systems also populated with human drivers, cyclists and pedestrians

How ethics can be built into robots and the importance of ethics for designers and manufacturers of robotic technologies

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines the relationship between people and robots and bots in various settings, including homes, workplaces, and the social sphere

Explores how people comprehend robots and bots as communicative, social, even emotional beings

Taught by Gwyneth Peaty and Eleanor Sandry, who are experts in the field of human-robot interaction

Analyzes ethical questions arising from human-robot interactions

Provides an overview of the history, current state, and future of human-robot interaction in various domains

Requires students to engage with academic texts and participate in discussions, which can be time-consuming

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Communicating with Robots and Bots with these activities:

Review The Turing Test

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Refamiliarize yourself with the Turing Test, which will be discussed in depth in this course.

Browse courses on Turing Test

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Read the seminal paper by Alan Turing on the Turing Test.
Summarize the key concepts of the Turing Test in your own words.

Practice Identifying Different Types of Robots

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Improve your ability in identifying and distinguishing a wide range of robots based on their capabilities and applications.

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Review the different types of robots and their characteristics.
Examine real-world examples of each type of robot.
Complete practice exercises to test your understanding.

Compile Resources on Robot Ethics

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Develop a deeper understanding and informed perspective on the ethical implications of robotics.

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Gather articles, research papers, and videos on robot ethics.
Organize the resources into categories, such as safety, privacy, and responsibility.
Create a presentation or document to share your compilation with others.

Five other activities

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Tutorial on Natural Language Processing for Chatbots

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Enhance your understanding of natural language processing techniques commonly used in chatbots and dialog systems.

Browse courses on Chatbots

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Enroll in an online or in-person tutorial on natural language processing.
Follow the tutorials and complete the corresponding exercises.
Apply natural language processing techniques to develop a simple chatbot.

Volunteer at a Robotics Event

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Gain practical experience and connect with professionals in the robotics field.

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Identify robotics events in your area, such as competitions or exhibitions.
Contact the event organizers to inquire about volunteering opportunities.
Attend the event and assist with tasks such as setting up, registration, or judging.

Design a Personal Assistant Robot

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Foster creativity while exploring the design considerations and capabilities of personal assistant robots.

Browse courses on Human-Robot Interaction

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Define the purpose and target users of your personal assistant robot.
Research and select appropriate hardware and software components.
Design the robot's physical appearance, user interface, and interaction modalities.
Develop a prototype of your robot and test its functionality.

Contribute to Open-Source Robotics Projects

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Deepen your understanding of robotics software and collaborate with a global community.

Browse courses on Robot Operating System

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Identify open-source robotics projects that align with your interests.
Review the project documentation and codebase.
Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixing, feature development, or testing.
Submit your contributions to the project repository.

Mentor Students Interested in Robotics

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Contribute to the community by empowering students with knowledge and insights in robotics.

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Identify opportunities to mentor students, such as through robotics clubs or organizations.
Provide guidance on robotics projects, competitions, and career paths.
Share your expertise and experiences in robotics with students.

Career center

Learners who complete Communicating with Robots and Bots will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, build, and maintain robots and robotic systems. They work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and defense. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course will help Robotics Engineers to understand how to communicate with robots, which is essential for developing robots that can interact effectively with humans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Artificial Intelligence Engineers design and develop artificial intelligence systems. They work in a variety of industries, including robotics, healthcare, and finance. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course will help Artificial Intelligence Engineers understand how to develop AI systems that can communicate effectively with humans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are in high demand for their expertise in designing, implementing, and maintaining computer software. Unlike Web Developers, Software Engineers focus on the logic and structure of software, especially when it comes to developing features for robotics. Taking the "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course, where learners will understand the communication patterns of robotics, will put you a step ahead by helping you to understand how to integrate human-like communication into robotics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers design and develop the user interface for websites, apps, and other digital products. They work closely with engineers and product managers to ensure that users have a positive experience when using a product. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course will help User Experience Designers understand how to design interfaces that are easy for humans to use, even when interacting with robots.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work closely with engineers, designers, and marketers to ensure that products meet the needs of customers. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course will help Product Managers understand how to develop products that are compatible with robots and can be easily used by humans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for software, hardware, and other technical products. They work closely with engineers and product managers to ensure that documentation is accurate and easy to understand. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course will help Technical Writers understand how to write documentation for products that interact with robots.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Sales Engineer

Sales Engineers help customers to understand and purchase technical products. They work closely with engineers and product managers to ensure that customers get the right products for their needs. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course will help Sales Engineers understand how to sell products that interact with robots.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Engineer

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns for products and services. They work closely with sales teams and product managers to ensure that marketing campaigns are effective. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course will help Marketing Managers understand how to develop marketing campaigns for products that interact with robots.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with businesses to identify and solve problems. They use their understanding of business processes and technology to develop solutions that improve efficiency and effectiveness. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course will help Business Analysts understand how to develop solutions that incorporate robots.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. They work closely with stakeholders to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course will help Project Managers understand how to manage projects that involve robots.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers design and develop complex systems, such as computer networks and telecommunications systems. They work closely with engineers and scientists to ensure that systems are reliable and efficient. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course may help Systems Engineers understand how to design systems that incorporate robots.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists conduct research in the field of computer science. They develop new theories and algorithms, and design new computer systems. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course may help Computer Scientists understand how to develop new algorithms and systems for robots.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Data Scientist

Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data. They use their findings to develop insights that can help businesses make better decisions. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course may help Data Scientists understand how to collect and analyze data from robots.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design and develop electrical systems, such as power systems and telecommunications systems. They work closely with engineers and scientists to ensure that systems are reliable and efficient. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course may help Electrical Engineers understand how to design electrical systems for robots.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design and develop mechanical systems, such as engines and machines. They work closely with engineers and scientists to ensure that systems are reliable and efficient. The "Communicating with Robots and Bots" course may help Mechanical Engineers understand how to design mechanical systems for robots.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer