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Introduction to Human-Robot Interaction

Christoph Bartneck

Introduction to Human-Robot Interaction is part one of the Human-Robot Interaction professional certificate.

This course provides a broad overview of the multidisciplinary topics central to modern Human-Robot Interaction research and introduces all the relevant background concepts; describing how robots work, how to design them, and the specifics of spatial and non-verbal interaction.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • • the basic concepts, principles and ideas of human-robot interaction.
  • • how robots work from the perspective of software and hardware.
  • • different types of sensors and actuators a robot could use.
  • • typical software architectures to control robots.
  • • the process of designing human-robot interaction focusing on all the necessary steps to consider.
  • • two interaction modalities that do not rely on speech: spatial interaction and non-verbal interaction.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a broad overview of multidisciplinary topics in human-robot interaction
Introduces concepts of how robots work, how to design them, and the specifics of spatial and non-verbal interaction
Taught by Christoph Bartneck, a recognized expert in the field of human-robot interaction
Part of a larger professional certificate program in human-robot interaction
Recommended for learners with an interest in human-robot interaction or related fields

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Reviews summary

Foundational overview of human-robot interaction

According to learners, this course provides a strong foundation in Human-Robot Interaction. Students praise the clear and well-structured lectures and superb instructor explanations, which make complex concepts easy to grasp. It offers a good breadth of topics from hardware to design, with useful practical examples and demos, particularly covering spatial and non-verbal interaction. While engaging for beginners and hobbyists, some advanced learners find it too high-level and mention it lacks technical depth or deeper practical application. A few older reviews noted dated material and inactive forum discussions, suggesting room for continuous improvement, but overall it serves as an effective introduction.
Practical examples and demonstrations enhance understanding.
"The practical examples and demos were very helpful."
"I particularly enjoyed the section on spatial interaction."
"The discussions on sensors and actuators were very informative."
The instructor's clear communication greatly aids learning.
"The lectures were incredibly clear and well-structured, making complex HRI concepts easy to grasp."
"The instructor explains things well, and the content covers a good breadth of topics..."
"The instructor's explanations are superb. I felt well-prepared to explore more advanced topics after completing this."
An excellent starting point for those new to HRI.
"Absolutely brilliant for a beginner! The course laid a strong foundation in HRI."
"Fantastic course for anyone looking to get started in HRI. The content is comprehensive for an intro..."
"It felt like a perfect introduction for someone new to the field, and I'm looking forward to the next part of the certificate."
Some materials may be dated, with limited forum engagement.
"Disappointed with the lack of up-to-date material. Some of the examples seemed dated..."
"The forum discussions were also quite inactive, which made collaborative learning difficult."
"My main critique is that some areas could benefit from deeper dives or more contemporary examples."
Offers a wide overview, but not suited for in-depth technical dives.
"Some parts felt a little too high-level and I would have appreciated more technical depth, especially on robot architectures."
"For someone with a background in robotics, it felt a bit too basic at times. It's more conceptual than technical..."
"It's truly an 'introduction,' so don't expect deep dives."

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 Introduction to Human-Robot Interaction with these activities:
Organize Course Content
Stay organized and enhance your comprehension by compiling and reviewing the various course materials.
Show steps
  • Create a dedicated folder or notebook for the course.
  • File and organize lecture notes, handouts, and assignments.
  • Review the materials regularly to reinforce your understanding.
  • Summarize key concepts and ideas in your own words.
Refresh Math and Physics Concepts
Prepare yourself for the course by brushing up on foundational math and physics concepts.
Browse courses on Math
Show steps
  • Review textbooks or online resources covering relevant math and physics topics.
  • Solve practice problems to test your understanding.
  • Attend a refresher course or workshop if available.
Read 'Introduction to Human-Robot Interaction'
Introduce yourself to this multidisciplinary field by reviewing the foundational text.
Show steps
  • Purchase a copy of the book from a reliable retailer such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
  • Read the book in its entirety, taking notes as you go.
  • Write a 500-word summary of the main concepts and ideas presented in the book.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Participate in Discussion Forums
Engage with classmates and exchange perspectives by actively participating in course discussion forums.
Show steps
  • Introduce yourself and share your interests in the course.
  • Read through the discussion topics and questions.
  • Post thoughtful responses to questions and engage with others' posts.
  • Ask questions and seek clarifications when needed.
Practice Robot Control
Enhance your comprehension of robot control by engaging in hands-on exercises using available software or simulation tools.
Browse courses on Robot Control
Show steps
  • Identify a suitable software or simulation tool for practicing robot control.
  • Follow tutorials or documentation to set up the software or simulation.
  • Design and implement control algorithms to navigate robots in a virtual or simulated environment.
  • Analyze the behavior of the robot and refine your control algorithms accordingly.
Explore Spatial and Non-Verbal Interaction
Expand your knowledge of spatial and non-verbal interaction in HRI by following guided tutorials tailored to these specific topics.
Show steps
  • Identify online courses or tutorials that focus on spatial and non-verbal interaction in HRI.
  • Enroll in or access the selected tutorials.
  • Complete the tutorials, paying close attention to the concepts and techniques presented.
  • Apply what you learn to design or evaluate HRI systems that leverage these interaction modalities.
Build a Simple Robot
Gain practical experience by constructing a basic robot, allowing you to apply your understanding of hardware and software integration.
Show steps
  • Gather necessary materials and components.
  • Assemble the robot according to instructions or design.
  • Program the robot to perform simple tasks.
  • Test and troubleshoot the robot's functionality.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Human-Robot Interaction will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers design, develop, and test robots that can interact with humans. This course would help build a foundation for the spatial and non-verbal interaction aspects of Human Robot Interaction that Robotics Engineers should be familiar with.
See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer
Human Factors Engineer
Human Factors Engineers ensure that machines and systems are designed with the human user in mind. This course would help build a foundation for the spatial and non-verbal interaction aspects of Human Robot Interaction that Human Factors Engineers should be familiar with.
See salaries and explore the career path for Human Factors Engineer
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designers create products and experiences that are easy to use and enjoyable. This course would help build a foundation for the spatial and non-verbal interaction aspects of Human Robot Interaction that User Experience Designers should be familiar with.
See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer
Interaction Designer
Interaction Designers create user interfaces for products and services. This course would help build a foundation for the spatial and non-verbal interaction aspects of Human Robot Interaction that Interaction Designers should be familiar with.
See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer
Robotics Technician
Robotics Technicians maintain and repair robots. This course may be useful for Robotics Technicians who want to learn more about the basics of human-robot interaction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Technician
Mechatronics Engineer
Mechatronics Engineers design and build systems that combine mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. This course may be useful for Mechatronics Engineers who want to learn more about the basics of human-robot interaction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mechatronics Engineer
Computer Scientist
Computer Scientists design and develop computer software and systems. This course may be useful for Computer Scientists who want to learn more about the basics of human-robot interaction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineers design and develop electrical systems. This course may be useful for Electrical Engineers who want to learn more about the basics of human-robot interaction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers design and build machines and systems. This course may be useful for Mechanical Engineers who want to learn more about the basics of human-robot interaction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design and develop software applications. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to learn more about the basics of human-robot interaction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create documentation for technical products and services. This course may be useful for Technical Writers who want to learn more about the basics of human-robot interaction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Product Manager
Product Managers manage the development and marketing of products and services. This course may be useful for Product Managers who want to learn more about the basics of human-robot interaction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
Marketer
Marketers create and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. This course may be useful for Marketers who want to learn more about the basics of human-robot interaction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketer
Salesperson
Salespeople sell products and services to customers. This course may be useful for Salespeople who want to learn more about the basics of human-robot interaction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Salesperson
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representatives provide support to customers. This course may be useful for Customer Service Representatives who want to learn more about the basics of human-robot interaction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Representative

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Human-Robot Interaction.
Cover image
Robotics, Vision and Control
Save
Provides a practical introduction to the fundamental algorithms used in robotics, vision, and control.
Robotics, Vision and Control: Fundamental...
Paperback
$$
Robotics, Vision and Control: Fundamental...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Probabilistic Robotics
Save
Provides an introduction to probabilistic robotics, a field that combines probability theory and robotics to enable robots to perceive and act in the real world.
Probabilistic Robotics (Intelligent Robotics and...
Hardcover
$$$
Probabilistic Robotics (Intelligent Robotics and...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Cambrian Intelligence
Save
Presents the latest research in robotics and the study of artificial life. It is useful for readers who are already familiar with the basics of robotics and want to learn more about the cutting-edge research that is going on in the field.
Cambrian Intelligence
Paperback
Check
Cambrian Intelligence
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Space Ethics
Save
Comprehensive overview of the ethical and social implications of robotics. It covers a wide range of topics, including the ethical implications of autonomous weapons, the use of robots in healthcare, and the impact of robots on the workforce.
Space Ethics
Paperback
$$
Space Ethics
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Building the New Economy
Save
Comprehensive overview of the principles of human social systems. It covers a wide range of topics, including the formation of social networks, the spread of information, and the evolution of cooperation.
Building the New Economy
Paperback
Check
Building the New Economy
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Things That Make Us Smart
Save
Classic work on the design of everyday things. It provides a wealth of practical advice on how to design products that are easy to use and understand. While it is not specifically about robotics, it provides a good foundation for understanding the principles of good design.
Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
Reinforcement Learning, second edition
Save
Provides an introduction to reinforcement learning, a machine learning technique that is used to train agents to make decisions in complex environments.
Reinforcement Learning, second edition: An...
Hardcover
$$$
Reinforcement Learning, second edition: An...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Spatial Augmented Reality
Save
Provides an introduction to spatial augmented reality, a field that combines real and virtual worlds to create new experiences.
Spatial Augmented Reality: Merging Real and Virtual...
Hardcover
$$$$
Spatial Augmented Reality: Merging Real and Virtual...
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
Design for a Better World
Save
Provides a practical guide to the design of everyday objects, covering topics such as the importance of user experience, the role of affordances, and the use of feedback.
Design for a Better World: Meaningful, Sustainable,...
Hardcover
$$
Design for a Better World: Meaningful, Sustainable,...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Robotics: A Very Short Introduction
Save
Very short introduction to robotics. It explains the basic principles of robotics and discusses some of the key challenges that the field faces.
Robotics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short...
Kindle Edition
$
Machine Learning
Save
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of machine learning, covering topics such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning.
Machine Learning (McGraw-Hill International...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Computer Vision
Save
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of computer vision, covering topics such as image formation, image processing, and object recognition.
Computer Vision
Paperback
Check
Computer Vision
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Effort
5 to 10 hours per week for 7 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
University of Canterbury
Instructor
Christoph Bartneck
Language
English
Transcript
English
This course belongs to a collection called Human-Robot Interaction. It's comprised of two courses:
  1. Introduction to Human-Robot Interaction (viewing)
  2. Methods and Application in Human-Robot Interaction
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a broad overview of multidisciplinary topics in human-robot interaction
Introduces concepts of how robots work, how to design them, and the specifics of spatial and non-verbal interaction
Taught by Christoph Bartneck, a recognized expert in the field of human-robot interaction
Part of a larger professional certificate program in human-robot interaction
Recommended for learners with an interest in human-robot interaction or related fields
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