In this work, we discuss a theoretically motivated family-centered design approach for child-robot interactions, adapted by Family Systems Theory (FST) and Family Ecological Model (FEM). Long-term engagement and acceptance of robots in the home is influenced by factors that surround the child and the family, such as child-sibling-parent relationships and family routines, rituals, and values. A family-centered approach to interaction design is essential when developing in-home technology for children, especially for social agents like robots with which they can form connections and relationships. We review related literature in family theories and connect it with child-robot interaction and child-computer interaction research. We present two case studies that exemplify how family theories, FST and FEM, can inform the integration of robots into homes, particularly research into child-robot and family-robot interaction. Finally, we pose five overarching recommendations for a family-centered design approach in child-robot interactions.
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This content will become publicly available on March 11, 2025
Supporting Long-Term HRI through Shared Family Routines
Technical and practical challenges in human-robot interaction (HRI) research often involve facilitating sustained long-term interactions, fostering engagement with multiple individuals, and taking place in-the-wild. The home environment embodies all three challenges, as multiple family members regularly engage with technology at home. In our research, we take a family-centered approach to understand, design, and evaluate how social robots can take part in setting and maintaining family routines to support long-term HRI. In our prior work, we conducted participatory design sessions with children and families to understand their preferences for having social robots in their home. We then designed interactions for robot-facilitated routines. Finally, our future work will include field studies investigating how robot-facilitated routines can support long-term engagement in family-robot interactions and facilitate connections.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2312354
- PAR ID:
- 10546379
- Publisher / Repository:
- ACM
- Date Published:
- ISBN:
- 9798400703232
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 97 to 99
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Location:
- Boulder CO USA
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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