Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0003-2104-6676
Defense Date
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Computer Science
First Advisor
Rodrigo Spinola
Abstract
To collaborate with the ongoing development of robotics, this thesis highlights three research contributions to collaborative robot programming. The first study evaluates block-based programming as an alternative for two-armed robots. A commercial solution is put in contrast with a block-based programming language. Both programming solutions are evaluated by 52 participants in an experiment involving a pick-and-place task. This study brings insights into human-robot collaboration, including robot positioning and interaction challenges. The second study discusses using mixed-reality devices as a potential workaround to the manual positioning of industrial and collaborative robots. Five different control interfaces implemented in mixed reality were used in two experimental tasks involving 49 end-users and 11 experts from human-robot interaction. Finally, the third study discusses learning challenges and novices' use of learning resources in robotics. In this last evaluation, 35 individuals without prior robot programming experience are invited to solve an experimental task using a collaborative robot and a block-based environment. Participants are instructed to report learning barriers faced throughout the experiment and use a list of learning materials available on a computer next to the robot. Results from this study suggest that even participants with prior experience in programming tend to face challenges when trying a robot programming environment for the first time. This study also highlights novices' interest in chatbots rather than more traditional learning resources. With this thesis, I expect to bring insights into end-user robot programming and interaction, expanding the boundaries of applied research in Software Engineering.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
8-25-2024