Classroom Card #4526
The Art of Data Collection Protocols and Analysis Methods in Creating Inclusive Human-Robot System for Individuals with Different Abilities
Summary
The Art of Data Collection Protocols and Analysis Methods in Creating Inclusive Human-Robot System for Individuals with Different Abilities
Course
Course OVerview
Creating assistive robots that adapt to diverse user needs is one of the key challenges in modern engineering. This course empowers students to develop inclusive human-robot systems through thoughtful data collection protocols and rigorous analysis methods—ensuring accessibility across abilities, cultures, and age groups.
Students will explore physiological, behavioral, and cognitive data collection while engaging with real-world users to build empathetic, data-driven solutions.
Time
Four to eight weeks
Materials
What You'll Need
Access to assistive robots and physiological sensors
Cameras and motion/gesture detection tools
Background knowledge in basic programming, statistics, and research methods (recommended)
Prerequisites
Prior knowledge of Statistics, Basic Programming, and research would be a plus
Description
Course Structure
Week 1–2: User Empathy & Understanding
Conduct home visits to individuals who could benefit from robotic assistance
Develop Empathy Map Canvases to capture key user needs
Peer review and reflect using KEEN’s 3Cs framework
Week 3: Data Collection Methods
Hands-on demonstrations for collecting behavioral, physiological, and cognitive data
Training on inducing cognitive fatigue and designing effective subjective surveys
Week 4: Proposal Refinement
Incorporate peer and instructor feedback
Finalize proposal for an inclusive assistive robotic solution
Weeks 5–7: Research Collaboration
Teams co-author a research paper based on findings and proposals
Emphasis on cohesion, critical thinking, and technical communication
Week 8: Legacy Reflection
Peer assessments of final research papers
Reflect on long-term impact and opportunities for future researchers
Curiosity
- Demonstrate constant curiosity about our changing world
Ask bold questions and actively seek out unconventional, overlooked, or contrarian perspectives. Embrace the unknown to discover deeper insights into user experiences and challenge established norms in assistive robotics. For example, after learning about standard navigation algorithms, one student asked whether these systems accounted for users with unpredictable or hesitant movement patterns—such as individuals with Parkinson’s. This question sparked further exploration into adaptive path-planning, leading the team to prototype a robot that could slow down and reorient when a user paused or moved irregularly. Their curiosity led to a solution more aligned with real-world user behavior.
- Explore a contrarian view of accepted solution
Encourage students to critically examine widely accepted approaches in human-robot interaction. By proposing and testing counterintuitive solutions, they can uncover hidden barriers and inspire innovation that better serves diverse user needs. In one project, students questioned the assumption that voice commands are the most accessible control method for assistive robots. Through interviews with users who had speech impairments and noisy home environments, they developed a gesture-based interface instead. This contrarian approach revealed an overlooked barrier and led to a more inclusive, adaptable system.
Connections
- Integrate information from many sources to gain insight
Synthesize data from user interviews, sensor technologies, behavioral studies, and ethical frameworks. Bridge technical knowledge with empathy and lived experiences to design human-robot systems that are not only functional but meaningfully inclusive. Example: In Week 3, students analyzed data from a user who exhibited delayed reaction times due to cognitive fatigue. By combining physiological sensor data, observational notes, and the user’s own verbal reflections, students identified a mismatch in interaction timing. This insight led to a redesign of the robot’s response algorithm, balancing technical feasibility with human-centered responsiveness.
Creating Value
- Identify unexpected opportunities to create extraordinary value
Uncover innovative ways to enhance quality of life by designing inclusive robotic systems, especially by questioning norms, challenging traditional assumptions, and applying diverse user insights to discover unmet needs. Example: One student team discovered that a commonly used robotic arm interface was too complex for users with early-stage cognitive decline. By simplifying the interface and adding color-coded physical buttons based on user feedback, they not only increased usability but also revealed an underserved need in the market. This redesign offered greater independence to users and opened up a new application area for assistive robotics.
- Persist through and learn from failure
Students iterate on designs based on real-world feedback and failed assumptions. Each failure becomes a learning opportunity, deepening understanding of user needs and refining data protocols for greater impact. Example: A team initially designed a robot that relied on gesture recognition to assist users with limited mobility. During testing, they found that inconsistent lighting and user fatigue caused the system to misread inputs. Instead of abandoning the idea, they re-evaluated their data collection process, incorporated multi-modal input (gesture + voice), and refined their training dataset. The revised system proved far more reliable, and the students learned how valuable failure can be in driving smarter design decisions.
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