Stirling, Leia
Measuring Trust for Exoskeleton Systems
Stirling, Leia, Wu, Man I, Peng, Xiangyu
Wearable robotic systems are a class of robots that have a tight coupling between human and robot movements. Similar to non-wearable robots, it is important to measure the trust a person has that the robot can support achieving the desired goals. While some measures of trust may apply to all potential robotic roles, there are key distinctions between wearable and non-wearable robotic systems. In this paper, we considered the dimensions and sub-dimensions of trust, with example attributes defined for exoskeleton applications. As the research community comes together to discuss measures of trust, it will be important to consider how the selected measures support interpreting trust along different dimensions for the variety of robotic systems that are emerging in the field in a way that leads to actionable outcomes.
ROB 204: Introduction to Human-Robot Systems at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Stirling, Leia, Montgomery, Joseph, Draelos, Mark, Mavrogiannis, Christoforos, Robert, Lionel P. Jr., Jenkins, Odest Chadwicke
The University of Michigan Robotics program focuses on the study of embodied intelligence that must sense, reason, act, and work with people to improve quality of life and productivity equitably across society. ROB 204, part of the core curriculum towards the undergraduate degree in Robotics, introduces students to topics that enable conceptually designing a robotic system to address users' needs from a sociotechnical context. Students are introduced to human-robot interaction (HRI) concepts and the process for socially-engaged design with a Learn-Reinforce-Integrate approach. In this paper, we discuss the course topics and our teaching methodology, and provide recommendations for delivering this material. Overall, students leave the course with a new understanding and appreciation for how human capabilities can inform requirements for a robotics system, how humans can interact with a robot, and how to assess the usability of robotic systems.
The Michigan Robotics Undergraduate Curriculum: Defining the Discipline of Robotics for Equity and Excellence
Jenkins, Odest Chadwicke, Grizzle, Jessy, Atkins, Ella, Stirling, Leia, Rouse, Elliott, Guzdial, Mark, Provost, Damen, Mann, Kimberly, Millunchick, Joanna
The Michigan Robotics Undergraduate Program owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to many people across our Robotics Institute and Robotics Department, the University of Michigan, the College of Engineering, the State of Michigan, and the greater national and global robotics community. Creating a first-of-a-kind robotics program is an incredibly bold and daring undertaking that would not be possible without the support, contributions, empathy, and insights from all corners of our amazing university (Go Blue!). While it would be impossible to recognize everyone who played important roles in realizing the Robotics Major, we would like to acknowledge some individuals who were especially critical to the formation of the program. We must first thank Dean Alec Gallimore and the College of Engineering for their visionary leadership throughout our evolution. Under the guidance and stewardship of Dean Gallimore, the Robotics Institute was able to grow, thrive, and prove it has the right stuff to become a viable academic department and undergraduate program. None of this would be possible without your confidence in us and willingness to innovate for the Common Good. The Robotics Institute owes its origins to Dawn Tilbury - the founding Director of the Robotics Institute (in 2014 under Dean David Munson) and now the inaugural Chair of the Robotics Department - and her foresight to envision what has become the home of Michigan Robotics - the Ford Motor Company Robotics Building. Nadine Sarter, Associate Dean Michael Wellman, and the Robotics Future Committee did tremendous work between 2018-20 to explore the potential and opportunities for Michigan to establish a department and undergraduate program in robotics. Their work identified the path for Michigan to earn distinguished leadership in robotics.