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Keywords

Modular robotics; Mixed-reality; Human-robot interaction; DIY Robotics; User interface

CCS Concepts

Information Systems → Multimedia Content Creation

Abstract

Ani-Bot is a modular robotics system that allows users to control their DIY robots using Mixed-Reality Interaction (MRI). This system takes advantage of MRI to enable users to visually program the robot through the augmented view of a Head-Mounted Display (HMD). In this paper, we first explain the design of the Mixed-Reality (MR) ready modular robotics system, which allows users to instantly perform MRI once they finish assembling the robot. Then, we elaborate the augmentations provided by the MR system in the three primary phases of a construction kit’s lifecycle: Creation, Tweaking, and Usage. Finally, we demonstrate Ani-Bot with four application examples and evaluate the system with a two-session user study. The results of our evaluation indicate that Ani-Bot does successfully embed MRI into the lifecycle (Creation, Tweaking, Usage) of DIY robotics and that it does show strong potential for delivering an enhanced user experience.

Yuanzhi Cao, Zhuangying Xu, Terrell Glenn, Ke Huo, and Karthik Ramani. 2018. Ani-Bot: A Modular Robotics System Supporting Creation, Tweaking, and Usage with Mixed-Reality Interactions. In Proceedings of the Twelfth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction (TEI ‘18). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 419–428. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1145/3173225.3173226

Teaser figure from the StoryMakAR Paper that shows how the system works.
Ani-Bot system overview: Ani-Bot provides users with (1) a modular kit that allows them to (2) assemble and construct robots with crafted DIY objects, and (3) use mixed-reality interaction to perform direct manipulation, sensor driven programming, and animation authoring. (4) The system can assist users in the assembly process, and (5) help them tweak ineffective designs through virtual tryout. (6) Taking advantage of mixed-reality, users can easily program their robots to perform environmentally interactive tasks, such as adding sugar to a teacup or shooting objects into a bowl.

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