This research proposes an integral system combining a hybrid BCI interface and shared control system for navigation and manipulation applications. In particular, the system consists of an electrical wheelchair with an embedded robotic arm that can assist a user to achieve essencial tasks such as picking up a cup of water. The proposed system uses a graphic interface that allows the user to select the possible control tasks through EEG signals based of steady state visual evocked potentials (SSVEP). On the other hand, the wheelchair is controlled by cervical movements related to head movement obtained by inertial sensors that assign navigation commands to the wheelchair, while ultrasonic sensors allow obstacle detection. Experimental results demonstrate the viability of the system and potential use as assistive technology for patients with motor paralysis conditions.

As robots are going to spread in human society, the study of their appearance becomes a critical matter when assessing robots performance and appropriateness for an application and for the employment in different countries, with different background cultures and religions. Robot appearance categories are commonly divided in anthropomorphic, zoomorphic and functional. In this paper, we offer a theoretical contribution by introducing a new category, called `theomorphic robots', in which robots carry the shape and the identity of a supernatural creature or object within a religion. Discussing the theory of dehumanisation and the different categories of supernatural among different religions, we hypothesise the possible advantages of the theomorphic design for different applications.

This paper presents an interface for enabling a sUAV robot (Daedalus) to communicate and simulate emotional states. As significance is the result of the interpretation of emotional states, an experimental study was performed to evaluate and recognize emotion-state responses from people when interacting with the sUAV. Four expressions were programmed combining Daedalus' interaction features such as head movement and eye color display. During the assessment, subjects were asked to recognize the significance of the expressions performed by the robot and assign an emotional state of the robot through card selection. Our research aims to investigate the impact of simulating emotional states in robots, and its potential during interaction. Results presented are part of an experimental study for setting future exploratory research concerning human-robot interaction.

In this paper we present the design, development and preliminary tests of Robotman, a robot that combines qualities for interaction with humans, and security patrolling services. The robot is inspired by the information obtained from a security company in which their personnel not only perform security patrolling services, but have to interact with people, providing additional information about the area they safeguard. The robot is able to perform security patrols during the night while functioning as a guide during the day. We designed and implemented a robust, easy to assemble, anthropomorphic security robot aiming to patrol large indoor areas, interact with humans, welcome, provide information and guide clients to their destination, as well as function as a telepresence platform for the human security guards. Our results suggest that Robotman is user friendly and pleasing to the people, it can perform security tasks and interact with them.

In recent years, social assistive robots have gained significant acceptance in healthcare settings, particularly for tasks such as patient care and monitoring. This paper offers a comprehensive overview of the expressive humanoid robot, Qhali, with a focus on its industrial design, essential components, and validation in a controlled environment. The industrial design phase encompasses research, ideation, design, manufacturing, and implementation. Subsequently, the mechatronic system is detailed, covering sensing, actuation, control, energy, and software interface. Qhali’s capabilities include autonomous execution of routines for mental health promotion and psychological testing. The software platform enables therapist-directed interventions, allowing the robot to convey emotional gestures through joint and head movements and simulate various facial expressions for more engaging interactions. Finally, with the robot fully operational, an initial behavioral experiment was conducted to validate Qhali’s capability to deliver telepsychological interventions. The findings from this preliminary study indicate that participants reported enhancements in their emotional well-being, along with positive outcomes in their perception of the psychological intervention conducted with the humanoid robot.

The use of indirect language is considered useful for persuading people in human communication. The aim of this research is to determine whether this also occurs within human-robot interaction. Thus, it is hypothesized that indirect language will have greater influence in attitude changes towards a product in comparison to direct language. A seven-point semantic differential scale was employed to measure participants attitude changes towards a product advertised by a Nao Robot using either direct or indirect speech. Results showed no significant differences between the direct and indirect language experimental conditions. This may indicate that in human-robot interaction indirect language may not function similarly as it does in human communication. A larger sample size and improvements in stimuli are suggested for future works.